There was a teacher's workshop yesterday so I skipped school and drove into the city to have a haircut and to go to the market.   I'm not sure I was allowed the day off.  I guess I'll see if I still have a job on Monday.  Grace and friends went in for the day as well.  I dropped them off and went right to "Mario" my hairdresser.  A teacher at the school recommended him last year and referred to him as "super Mario", which he is!  He's adorable and pocket sized.  We should all have one.  After my appointment I met a friend and we went off to the market to buy fruits and veggies.  I left with four bulging bags filled with huge porcini mushrooms, plums, peppers, apples and a big cauliflower.  All for about $10.  I forgot my nice market bags so I had to tromp back across the city with the vendor's plastic bags cutting off my circulation.  My pinkie is still numb.  I'm cooking for the grandparents this weekend so have to be prepared.  Today I'm home and seriously considering a nap.  It is oppressive weather.  It's still warm enough to be summer but it's tired.  Everything is dry, dusty and floppy, (rather like me).  The forecasters have been talking rain for a week now but like everything else in Italy, short of the driving, the weather is very slow in changing.  A rain takes ages to build up, getting grayer and heavier by the day.  As I haven't done much housekeeping since I've been here, I'm hoping it does rain so I have an excuse to stay home and not do one of our tremendous walks.  Too draggy.  Speaking of housekeeping, the woman upstairs from us is seriously nuts.  She's been vacuuming for 2 hours.  2 hours of non-stop vacuuming, moving each and every piece of furniture.  The apartment is the same size as ours.  I haven't accumulated 2 hours since I got back.  Maybe there was a freak Saharan sandstorm or an Okie dust storm while I wasn't looking.  Tonight dinner with friend's at their place.  I have made a killer plum upside-down cake.  Hope it tastes as good as it looks!  xxoo me