Yesterday morning I had a real Italian experience.  When I went to my car to go to work, a van had blocked me in.  There were various trucks and vans around as they are renovating something across the street.  Of course this guy had no qualms about parking right behind me, cause this is each man for himself country.   GianPiero was just heading out to work too so he stopped.  He was in his ballbreaker mood so ripe for an argument.  I had to honk my horn for about 10 minutes before the guy came out.  But before he did some neighbors popped out, yelling back and forth at each other about whose van it might be.  Others opened their windows and joined in.  A painter in his work overalls came running down a driveway, afraid that it was his truck (he was also blocking someone) and GianPiero jumped all over him.  The guy said it wasn't his van. GP said he wasn't accusing him, which of course he was.  Finally the guilty driver showed up and there was much yelling and waving of hands and rude gestures....just another morning in the hood.

Today I'm preparing for my baby to come home for the week!  I pick her up tomorrow at the airport.  I just spent the morning at the supermarket buying all of her favorite things and stocking up on fresh fruits and veggies as I don't know how much she's getting over there.  London is one of those cities where you can find anything if you look but the average supermarket is a sad scene with only a few pale, plastic wrapped cucumbers and apples.  For good fresh produce you should go to a market or one of the high-end supermarkets, both of which cost a flipping arm and a leg.

I have all of next week off too and I'm thrilled.  Still don't feel settled in here.  We have a lot to do including spending a day at the MIL's place cleaning.  Some years ago she finally agreed to get a cleaning lady to come in once a week.  She is in her late sixties but MIL refers to her a young.  It's all relative I guess.  Anyway this poor woman just had a stroke so MIL is temporarily without help.  (She says she'll be back after a week as she's so young she'll recover quickly.  Hmm.)  I volunteered Grace and I to go over and clean for her.  There are a couple problems with this plan.  One is that Grace doesn't know.  The other is that MIL is such a fanatical clean freak.  (She cleans before the cleaning lady comes and them follows her around pointing things out that she missed.  She probably caused the stroke.)  I'm worried that she'll harass me.  I, by the way, am a lousy housekeeper as I don't give a crap about dust.  As long as my bathrooms and kitchen are relatively clean and my sheets get changed weekly, I'm good to go.  MIL will have me on my hands and knees with a toothbrush.  Well you know what they say about Good Intentions...

I'm off to make Grace's bed.  Yippee!!  xxoo me