Roma

Hello Hello!!

I could get used to this city real quick.  Wow.  Rome is really something. 

Now that I have found a few moments (It's 6am here in Rome) and I've gotten connected to Blogger (a feat in and of itself), I'm just going to show you a few photos.  No descriptions as I really do need to hurry along.  We are going to Mass today at the Vatican.  I'm not Catholic, but I am truly honored to be able to go.

Already this trip has been incredible.

disclaimer - these photos have not been edited, cropped or straightened.  Most of them are giant sized because I am trying to get the photos downloaded first - so if the page loads slow it's because of the photo size.

Enjoy!

I am tossing a coin into Trevi Fountain (and standing next to the kissing couple!  how funny)

This was a "zooming by on the bus" photo. 

Alrighty, I'm going to hop into the shower before I wake everyone. 

It's another full day in Rome. 

Have a wonderful Happy Valentines Day!

Kristin

And away we go!

Colosseum  - photo source

OK folks.  The weather is freightful and the skies are dumping the East Coast with a ton of snow.  I have no idea if we are going to get on the flight to Rome in the morning or not, but I'm going to go on faith and pray that I get there in a timely manner.

I'll probably update from the airport if there is WiFi.  If so, I'll update right on this post.

The Photo of the Day (POTD) is going to be placed on hold until I return.

Once again, I hope to blog while I'm gone and post photos along the way - but let's just hope that all of my flights take off as planned, with me on them!

Ahhh!!  I can't sleep, I'm so excited.
Kristin


UPDATE
9:47am - I have made it through security, but my bag was flagged.  The woman went through it three times and still couldn't find what the screener pointed out.  I had a feeling I was going to be flagged, so I went through security before the rest of my group.  They were waiting for the last of the group to arrive at ticketing.  I get really antsy when it comes to getting through security.  I want to get it done.  I've run through far too many airports because the line to get through security was an hour long. 

The flight to Charlotte is on time.  I've heard that Philly is going to get at least one runway open today.  Boy oh boy, what a mess.  I need to get into Philly and then fly out.  Two miracles.  I'll update again when I know more.

UPDATE
2:03pm  We've gotten to Charlotte and now have a delayed flight going to Philly, but it looks like we will be arriving there this evening.  The issue we have now, if that the flight from Philly to Rome is not delayed - so as of right now, we may miss the flight.  I'm just going to assume that that the Philly to Rome flight is going to get delayed and all will be well in the universe :)

Thanks for all of the messages!

UPDATE
It's 1:02pm Florida time, which makes it 8pm Rome time on Friday -  I have arrived in Rome! I have also slept in the bed in the apartment, eaten lunch and ... saw it snow.  When we arrived at the Rome airport it was pouring rain and right around freezing.  After we got to our bus and started heading toward Rome the rain turned to snow.  Truly amazing.

I have arrived!!

Whew :)

Kristin

POTD - Berries

Berries - by Kristin Corlett

I was in the car and had just missed the left turn light so I had to sit and wait the three minutes until it cycled back around to me again.  I looked around and noticed the rain drops dripping from the berries on the tree next to me in the median.  I grabbed my camera of course and snapped.  I didn't realize how pretty the colors were behind the berries until I looked at the photo.  I guess even in the pouring rain good shots can be had.

Enjoy!
Kristin

Those were the days

Last week it was unofficially brother/sister week on facebook.  The idea was that you were supposed to make your profile picture that of you and your sibling(s).  I usually don't go along with anything that tells me to change my status to something honoring someone or some group or supporting one thing or another because I don't want to use my status message as a platform for social change or awareness.  I want it to be fun :)

BUT

putting up photos is something I can get behind.

My Aunt Marg found a few photos of me that my Uncle took oh so long ago, so I've included those as well as the sister photos.

So here are some fun shots of me through the years.

The whole family together at the neighbors house for our Christmas dinner with them.  Our hair is all the same color and my Dad is the only one who doesn't have a perm.  Galen, Judith, Kristin, Alison and Hillary.

This picture was taken in 1983 as I was getting ready to leave for 23 days with the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp International Choir.  We were going to Sweden, Norway and Denmark.  I met a guy the night before I left.  I was so excited to leave and go on this incredible journey, but I was so sad to meet such a great guy and hope that he would still be single in three weeks! Too funny.  (He waited for me and we dated on and off for the next several years.)  Alison is wearing her favorite shirt.  It was purple with clouds on it.  Hillary was just sad that I was going to be gone for so long.

This next photo...

you may want to adjust your screen as there is a lot going on.

I'm warning ya.

Ready??

When I went to my grandparents house, I would run over to this statue and stand next to him and measure myself.  I assumed that I would grow many inches between visits - which I have to tell you were most times just days apart.    My grandparents lived just across town. I guess I was spending the night because that is my robe.  It's quite a sight to have so much pattern in such a small space!

Hillary's hair is so long.  I had forgotten how long it was back then.  This was taken during the time when we had the Dancing Goat Coffeehouse, so sometime between 1994 - 1998.

Alison mentioned that this was a very cold day at the beach.  I honestly don't recall the day that we went to the beach, but I did know that I always liked this photo because we were just acting like us!  I also really liked that red velour cover up :)

I do believe that this photo is Christmas 1985.  It's the first year in the new house and that kitty is Apollo.  Hillary got him for Christmas that year.

Cabo San Lucas.  I think it was 1993.  I loved that shirt that I was wearing in this photo.  I bought it in Cabo and I think I wore it for 10 years.  I'm not one to give up on a garment, that's for sure.  I have always loved this photo of us.

These last two photos and the one with me in my robe are the ones that my Uncle took.

This is my Uncle Alan (my Uncle Matthew took the photo) and I'm wearing his wrestling helmet and holding some stuffed dog that I honestly do not remember.  My Uncle Alan passed away about 10 years later, so every photo with him is very precious to me.  I'm so very grateful to have another photo to add to my Uncle Alan collection.

The back of this photo said K.I.Sawyer Airforce Base, Thanksgiving 1968.  That's my Grandmother Henry holding me.   I had never seen this photo before the other day.  How fun!!

Well.  I had fun showing these to you.  I hope you enjoyed bouncing around through time with me and my family. 

Enjoy!
Kristin

The Coolpix s220

Not lookin'

I got another camera today. 

Well, you see, here's the deal...

I found out that it's going to be rainy and cold in Rome for many many days while I'm there. 

I haven't quite figured out a rain plan for my expensive camera, but I will be taking photos whether it's raining or not.  I thought maybe I should take a small point and shoot camera and not get my big camera wet if it's really raining hard.

So, I went out and purchased a brand new point and shoot camera.  The one I had prior was a 5 megapixel 6 year old dinosaur that has been croaking with each click, so I was planning on replacing it fairly soon.

With the news of the rain, I decided to replace it now.

I heard you

I'm now so spoiled with my Nikon D90, that this new, tiny, fits in the palm of my hand camera doesn't seem to live up to what I'm used to - but as you can see from the Mocha photos that I took tonight, I think this little camera will be just fine.  Not to mention, I've only had the camera for a few hours! 

I told you that I didn't want my picture taken!

Mocha didn't even get red-eye when the flash was going off a million times.  I wish she looked happy though.  I think I've only seen one picture of my dear Mocha where she didn't look completely ticked off.

I love her.

I leave Thursday morning!!!!
Kristin

POTD - Phonebook

Phonebook - by Kristin Corlett

It's an unusual photo of the day, but this is a picture of a page of the Isle of Man phonebook.  This is the Corlett page, specifically the Corlett J's - N's page.  When I was growing up there was just one other Corlett in the phone book and rarely a Corlett in any phone book in other cities.  It's just not a common name.   When we got to the Isle of Man and looked up our name there were several pages of Corlett's.  It was truly exciting.  I doubt I'll find a Corlett in the phonebook in Rome, but you know I'll look!

Enjoy!
Kristin

Balloons

I mentioned in the Friday Fragments post that I was not going to worry about posting every day in February because I didn't join in NaBloPoMo.   I didn't want to feel like I was forced to post by Midnight Eastern time while I was in Rome, but I never thought I was going to miss a day before I left and yet yesterday I didn't write.  I did post my Photo of the Day, but I see that as a separate event. 

So I had a busy day yesterday.  Tom was gone all day, so I took the opportunity to do all the noisy & annoying housecleaning stuff like vacuuming and dusting the entertainment center, the TV, mopping, etc.  Then as I was sitting down to start writing something fun, I got a phone call from a friend asking me to come on down to a Mardi Gras dinner/event at her church.  I thought that might be fun, so I hopped in the shower and went. 

I don't actually like balloons.  The swaying bothers me because it distracts my attention and when the balloons move together the squeak sounds like nails on the chalkboard to me.  Don't even get me started on a balloon popping when it wasn't expected. 

I liked this giant bunch of balloons at the entrance to an apartment community.  Last week was "Yellow" week for the weekly photo photo challenge, so I stopped and took a bunch of photos to see if I wanted them for the yellow theme.  None of them made the cut, but I did like them as a series.  It's also something I probably would have never photographed if I hadn't been looking for yellow things.

I'm watching Undercover Boss right now.  What a cool idea for a show.  It's about the president of a company going to work for his own company at an entry level.  The little mom and pop operations know what it's like to be the owner, chief cook and bottle washer.  It's very interesting to see what the president of a giant huge corporation sees when he becomes the average joe worker. 

Congratulaions to the Saints.  All week I thought I would be rooting for the Colts (well, mostly because of Keetha) but when the Saints started off with a 10 point deficit I found myself rooting for them.  I'm a sucker for an underdog.  Then by the time the Saints were ahead by quite a bit, the game was nearly over so it was hard to switch back over to the Colts.  Congratulations to both teams for making it to the show and for making it a great game to watch.

My favorite commercial was the one with Betty White and Abe Vigota.  I honestly can't remember what they were selling, but it was a funny commercial.

I hope you've had a great weekend and I hope that your team won the Superbowl! 

Kristin

POTD - Attic Door

Attic Door - by Kristin Corlett

I love the old hardware on this door.  This was found on the grounds of the Oldest House in St. Augustine, FL.  I think it's part of the house itself, but I didn't get a larger view so I am not sure.

Enjoy!
Kristin

POTD - Val the Manatee

Val the Manatee - by Kristin Corlett

I'm thinking that ol' Val here will become Pat for the St. Patty's Day celebration, but right now she's all dressed up for Valentines Day.   She has a rooster friend nearby and a couple of pink flamingos that all have on their red scarves, but Val here was the stand out.   I think it might be the cowboy hat.

Enjoy!
Kristin

Locked out

Something very strange happened today. 

Tom and I were in the house together when I realized that I forgot to get something from my car. 

I put on my slippers and rode the elevator down to the garage, got what I wanted and came back up to our condo. 

When I turned the door handle the latch wouldn't disengage. 

I tried several times turning the handle up and down, but nothing would work. 

My husband heard the commotion and came to the door.

He couldn't get it open either.

Tom took the door handle off from the inside and I had the outside piece, but we still couldn't get the latch to move. 

Now Tom has got a screwdriver out trying to get the latch to move and I can hear the marks starting to form in the trim pieces on the door frame. 

All I can think about at this point is that I am so glad I wasn't alone and that he was still on the inside. 

The neighbors have heard the chatting in the hallway, so they come out to see what's going on.

They don't have any words of wisdom as to how to solve this situation, but now Tom has an audience. 

And with that, the door pops open!

I now have a big round hole in the door, where the door handle should be.  Hopefully we'll get the handle fixed tomorrow.

This was the first time I realized how REALLY inconvenient it is to have only one way into my home.

I have no idea how I would have gotten into the house if no one was on the inside.

Thankfully it all worked out. 

Anyway, the dealbolt is locked and  if I were in a different kind of neighborhood I'd put the old knob back on without the latch, but that's too much trouble. 

POTD - Stacked

Stacked - by Kristin Corlett

I went back today to a place I had photographed last year, just a few days after I got this new camera of mine.  I'd thought about doing a card series of all of these stacked rocks that I'd found in this person's yard, but I wanted some different views of the rocks.  There was one problem.  I couldn't find the house!  I've been looking for this place for a few weeks now - a few hours each week - but today I found it!!  I was so happy.  I photographed the address so I won't forget again.

The rocks, by the way, are displayed right next to the curb.  I promise that I wasn't traipsing through someones yard without permission.  :)

Enjoy!
Kristin

Friday Fragments

Mrs. 4444, from Half-Past Kissing Time, hosts Friday Fragments each week.    I'm going to Rome in less than a week!  I swear it's all that I can think about. Thank goodness it's fragment day so I can get these little short stories out of my brain.  Thanks so much for coming by here each week.   Please visit Mrs. 4444's Fragmented post so you can find even more fragmented posters like me.

*•-:¦:-•:*''''*:•-:¦:-•

I am running myself ragged trying to get ready to go away.    As usual there are a few extra things that crept in that totally flipped my week, but that's OK.  I'm renting one of my condos tomorrow, so that's an added blessing.  Very much an added blessing.

*•-:¦:-•:*''''*:•-:¦:-•

My doctor.  Oh my goodness I am so mad at him I can hardly stand it.  When I get back from my trip I'm going to someone else if I have to pay cash to see them.  Until then, I have to go see him tomorrow for an office visit because he won't prescribe two water pills for my flight without an office visit.  It's like he holds me hostage.  The last time I needed something filled he wouldn't refill it until I came in.  I had to go without my long term insulin for three days because he wouldn't budge.  Ahhhhh! He wouldn't even give me a sample to last for a few days. 

*•-:¦:-•:*''''*:•-:¦:-•

I tossed my hat into the ring when I heard about a call for artists to be a part of a book.  This was supposed to happen the end of last year or Jan of this year.   Turns out that plans changed and the book was delayed many weeks.   I was getting a little nervous that I hadn't heard anything yet and that it might come when I was in Rome.  I'd heard that we would only have 10 days from the time we were given the key word for the artwork theme and the date it was due.   Well, I got the call and the submissions for the artwork was due yesterday.  In the midst of all of the craziness the call came.  Typical, right??!!   Well, I managed to find the piece that I thought best fit the theme and a photo that I loved, too and got it submitted.  Whew!   I'll provide a link to the website when it becomes public.  I'm just so excited though - my very first submission :)  It may not make the book, but at this point I am truly happy that I got it accomplished!

*•-:¦:-•:*''''*:•-:¦:-•

My friend Lori posted a video today that made me smile and laugh and sing!  I am not sure if everyone around the country knows of FAYGO brand pop, but it is very popular in my town as it was originally sold only in Michigan.  When I was a kid, we got a case of Sugar Free Faygo pop a few times a year.  It was such a treat!!  Anyway, here is a great Faygo song from 1970.  Thanks Lori!!

*•-:¦:-•:*''''*:•-:¦:-•

I decided to go for a test run today using the new bag that I got as my carry-on.  I wanted to see if it was comfortable, rolled well, stood up to parking lots, elevators, going through doors, etc.   I had a bunch of food and some Ensure drinks that had been donated to our transplant group.  No one had asked for any of these items in awhile, so I took all of it to the liver transplant support group today in hopes to get folks to take them home and use them :)  Well, something happened to one of the Ensure drinks and it exploded all over the inside of my brand new bag.  I didn't know this when I bought it, but my new bag has a waterproof interior!  Not a drop of that chocolaty drink soaked through to the outside.  On an even better note, several of the people at group today took everything that I offered!  Excellent! 

*•-:¦:-•:*''''*:•-:¦:-•

It's been a very long time since I've talked about a product that I love.  I think now is the best time, don't you?!  I'm not getting paid to do this, it's just a spontanious product endorsement.  :)

I've been a big fan of splashless bleach for several years now, but it was still a little too thin for pouring into the teeny tiny bleach reservoir in my front loader dispenser tray.  Not to mention that the tray is at my eye level, so I'm literally pouring over my head.  Well, a few months back I found HE Clorox Bleach (High Efficiency).  It is super thick and I can control exactly how much bleach I want in the little reservois.  I've used the HE bleach in my sink when I wanted to bleach a single item and when I've wanted to disinfect some plastic items.  To me it works just like regular bleach and I feel like I don't need to change clothes into my bleach clothing in order to use it.

*•-:¦:-•:*''''*:•-:¦:-•

This is the first month in over a year that I am NOT participating in NaBloPoMo.  I thought that I'd give myself a break about posting every single day for this month.  I'm going to try to post every day while I'm in Rome, but if not, I'm sure you all will forgive me, right??!!  :) 

I hope you have a great weekend!
Kristin

POTD - Fun

Fun - by Kristin Corlett

I took this photo from my car, while driving of course.  I couldn't help it!  Just look at this bus. 

"Are We Having Fun"

I can't imagine that they are having fun any more, but what I really want to know is where is this bus going??  Who is spending money hauling this broken down, burnt out bus?  It wasn't me, that's for sure, but I sure was happy to be a witness.

Enjoy!
Kristin

It rocks and rolls

It Rocks and Rolls!

Some days are just meant to go a certain way. 

Well, the rocking part of this post is that when I got home from my Dr. appointment I had a gift in the mail!!!  I knew it was coming because Ruth Ann called me to ask if I had read "The Lovely Bones" yet and if not, she'd put it in the box she was sending.  As you can see - I hadn't :) 

Blogging friends are just so much fun.  You just never know what kind of tricks they have up their sleeves.  Well Ruth Ann likes to send out gifts I've discovered.   We met one year ago when we both were a part of a Valentines Day swap and we were paired up.  We sent each other some fun Valentine items, but then for my birthday she sent me a package and now she's sent another gift.  She's crazy I tell ya!  But I have to admit, I love what she sends!!  She said in her card that she knew I loved pottery and the color purple, so when she saw this mug in her local pottery store she had to get it.  I agree!  I'd have had to get it, too.  

...and then she sent a book of fortunes.  I can't wait to go through them.  I talked recently about my jar full of fortune cookie fortunes, but I'll like these because I can give these away to unsuspecting people.  I can't wait. 

Then that adorable heart.  She said that she learned how to make it by watching  a tutorial on YouTube.  How great is that!  I love it. 

Thanks Ruth Ann - you are so sweet.  It has been a real pleasure knowing you this past year.  I'm sure we'll be friends for many many more years to come :)



Before I got that fabulous gift in the mail...


I was actually kind of happy to go to my dermatology appointment today.  I had a few questions to ask, so that was part of it, but the other part was that I was wanting to go do a little bit of shopping on that side of town.

There is a Fresh Market near the Drs office and a Marshall's store, too.  I needed two shirts.  I actually needed two specific shirts.  They needed to go with the specific outfits that I have chosen for my Rome trip.  I'm trying so hard to get my clothing down to a bare minimum, but also to be able to wear layers if I get cold - so everything really needs to work together.  I was two shirts shy of making it all possible.

Fortunately, I found exactly what I was looking for at Marshalls.   On my list of things to get for the trip was a new suitcase.  The suitcase that I was planning on taking tips over.  I'm used to it, but it is quite anoying.  However, when I'm also taking a carry-on bag, having one tip over is just not convenient.  THEN, I thought I'd take another bag that we have, but my husband is going to need it while I'm gone and it's a teeny bit small.  The only other suitcase we have is big enough for two people for two weeks.  Just a tad too big for this trip.

So, what does this mean??  This means that I needed to get a new suitcase.

and Marshalls came through!!

This is what Rolls!

I found several rolling suitcases there, but this little silver one was my favorite.  It's a flexible hard side bag with an expandable middle section.  It has four sets of double wheels - it rolls, glides and spins.  I will be able to push it, pull it, or have it roll along side me.  This suitcase actually weighs less than my other suitcase that is half the size.  I'm thrilled.

I suppose you see that little turquoise bag next to the silver one.  This was the find of the week.  I was so excited when I saw it.  It solves a problem that I was having.  I wanted to take my computer bag, but it doesn't hold my camera.  I wanted to take a smaller purse, but it also doesn't hold my camera.  So this meant that I was going to have to take a giant purse so that I could stow my camera when not in use and also take my computer bag.  BUT this little bag solves all of that - it's a rolling bag (!!!) and it will hold my computer, my purse, my camera all of my carryon items and an extra set of clothes - just in case my new suitcase doesn't arrive right away. 

It was a great day and I am now ready for Rome - we're just barely over 7 days from take off.

I can't wait!

(Thanks again Ruth Ann! You are such a doll)

Kristin

POTD - Yellow

Yellow - by Kristin Corlett

This week the theme for Weekly Photo Challenge from Shutterboo was Yellow.  I've been photographing yellow houses, lemons, bananas, balloons and corn all week.  I chose this one because I liked the shadow and that corn was just so darned delicious :)  The Flickr group for all of the submitted photos is HERE.

Enjoy!
Kristin

It's a Wrap!

This is my wonderful red plaid down filled really warm I love it more than my luggage blanket that I want to take with me to Rome. 

This blanket has been to Ireland and the Isle of Man but I had trouble keeping it as compact as possible when not in use. 

You see when I roll up the blanket and press out as much of the air as possible, it starts to fill itself right back up again.  The ends of the blanket are unruly and don't tuck into anything real well, so I came up with a plan.

That plan involved  Velcro and canvas.  Thankfully I found a little remnant of canvas for $2.89, so it was pretty inexpensive, too.

I measured out the length that would roll up with the blanket and keep those ends neatly tucked in place and then added a few more inches so there was wiggle room in case I didn't get the blanket rolled up exactly this tight or loose each time.  Then I ironed on the Velcro (according to manufacturers directions) and then tried out the blanket wrap to see if it actually worked.

...and we're rolling.

It's a wrap!

I'm so excited!!  It's exactly what I wanted. 

Now I'm going to do the same thing with my pillow.  I can't decide if I'm going to take the pillow this time, but I've wanted a wrap for it at other times, so I'm just going to make it while I've got everything already out and ready to go.

I hope you have a great day!
Kristin

POTD - Castle Otttis

Castle Otttis - by Kristin Corlett

This castle has been a mystery to me ever since I first saw it a few years ago.  I must have Googled just the right combination of words tonight because I actually found some information on this castle.  It's name is Castle Otttis (with three t's) and it's supposed to be reminiscent of a castle that might have been erected in Ireland a thousand years ago.  You can read more about it HERE and you can see additional photos of it HERE.  I didn't know until just moments ago that it was open to the public.  I thought this photo, taken from the roadway, was the only one I'd ever get of this incredible looking structure.  Ahhh, but I might get to see more!  We'll just have to wait and see.

Enjoy!
Kristin

Pot Roast dinner

I had planned on giving this wonderful photo tutorial on how I make a pot roast and I didn't take a single photo of the cooking roast, the finished roast or anything with the roast.  So I'm just going to talk about these little gourmet onions and potatoes that made a regular ol' pot roast into something special.

I have always wanted to buy these little onions that I've seen in the grocery store, but I've never thought of a good way to use them.  We were completely out of potatoes and onions to put in the pot roast so this time when I saw the little onions I knew that today was day.

Then, because I bought the little onions the little potatoes were just a given at this point.  I should have picked up two packages of the onions because this just wasn't enough.  That's OK though, we just didn't get to have any little onions to go with the left over pot roast. 

Why didn't we have any left over?  because we ate every single one of them.  YUM!

This was my dinner.  See all those little onions?  Yep, they were wonderful.

We made a gravy and I somehow let Tom talk me into using the fat from the pot roast instead of using some butter.  I used very little gravy on my food but it didn't matter -  it made me sick to my stomach about 10 minutes after I finished dinner.  Ugh.  It was just awful.    The gravy tasted good though and Tom didn't have a bit of trouble, so it was definitely my tender stomach.  I think it was just too fatty for me but the pot roast was delicious, the carrots divine and the little onions and potatoes were incredibly delicious.

We had left over pot roast for dinner last night and I didn't have a lick of trouble, so it was the gravy that bothered me, as I had suspected.  

In the near future I will write a little tutorial on how to make a pot roast (and make the gravy the way I like to do it) because I had no idea how easy it was to make until just two years ago.  Tom came home one day from visiting Michigan and told me that his mother made pot roast for him one of the nights he had dinner with them.    I told him to call her up and get the recipe.  It was then that I found out that it wasn't difficult at all.  We've been making pot roasts (mostly in the winter) ever since. 

Have a great week!
Kristin

POTD - BINGO Hopper

BINGO Hopper - by Kristin Corlett

I took this while at the BINGO event I attended yesterday.  I wasn't thrilled with the photo when it was in color, but I love it in Black and White.

Enjoy!
Kristin