Argh, another rainy day.  I need to get out in my little yard here to clean up a year of neglect.  My sage has taken over the herb garden and is strangling the rosemary and lavender.  Horrors.  The apartment we live in is in an area outside the city and slightly up in the hills.  It's all very built up as far as the crest of the hill where it opens up some cultivated fields and bigger homes.  The higher one goes the more it costs.  Once you start going down on the other side it's untouchable. That's where Grace's school is located.  I can look but I cannot touch!  Our particular neighborhood is all apartment buildings and town houses.  Quite green and nice but space is at a minimum.  We are on the ground floor which means a terrace and small enclosed garden but unfortunately overhead neighbors.  Italian neighbors.  High heels clicking on tile floors, high volume child and father who sings pop songs and opera at the top of his lungs.  Fortunately they have been out a lot so it hasn't been an issue but GP has their phone number taped up all over the apartment in case he needs to call them to say "Shut the ***up! I'm working!"  The apartment is basically four outward looking rooms with a hallway and 2 baths.  Toward the garden there is an eat-in kitchen and our bedroom/GP's office.  Toward the front is the living space and Grace's room.  It will be a while before I have it all put together and it feels like home and not our vacation spot which is what it's been used for for the last 20+ years.  I need stuff on the walls, some small tables etc.  Today Grace and I are going exploring in the area behind the hills around and past the school.  Maybe I'll find some good walking areas to work off the wine, cheese, bread......... xxoo me