2018 is riding off into the sunset and globally it has been quite a year.  Trump, Brexit, Trump, Syria, Yemen, Trump, far right winning elections all over Europe, Trump...  you know.

But in my little world there is both good and bad.

Sad, sad news.  At 8 pm last night delivery guys brought a new bedroom set to our upstairs neighbors (the crazies) and began to install it.  The drilling and hammering continued for 2 hours.  Why sad news?  It means they're staying.  After having tried for over a year to sell their place I believe they have given up.  I have a lump in my throat just typing this.  Mother is more neurotic than ever.  Son huge, white and the epitome of weird nerd.  Poor kid.

Other news from Italy.  I am coming to believe that people are actually trying to kill me every time I get in my car.  There is so much Italian weirdness I don't even notice any more but my 8 am commutes to work are still HARROWING!  There are flipping CRAZY people on that road.  The other day someone pushed me so far over to the side, (passing on a very narrow road and on a curve), that I went into a deep ditch and the car made scary grating noises.  I don't like scary grating noises.

This is the first year that MIL has permitted us to "do Christmas".  She is truly aging and getting a little wacky.  She was always a wonderful cook so I have a lot to live up to.  But as she has taken to drink and the fattiest food possible, as long as I add wine, cheese and cream she's good.  This year I have introduced her to some serious heavy American dishes and she LOVES them!  Scalloped potatoes, mac and cheese, our cheese onions.  Her cholesterol is lower than mine.  That's another story.

The daughter is back for a week or so to be spoiled and coddled.  Today she and I drove up to a Christmas fair on Lago Viverone, north of Torino.  GianPiero has sworn off Christmas fairs and all else commercial this time of year.  He said he's never killed anyone so shouldn't be punished in this way.  Fine.  We girls went alone and it was beautiful.  Not the Christmas fair which was so-so, but the area.  The lake is up toward Aosta valley in the Alps and is surrounded by vineyards and scenic little towns.  Really beautiful. 

Alas I can't say the same for me!  When is it my skin stopped being attached to my bones?  Oh well.  Let's hope for a peaceful and happy new year for us all.  xxoo me