I've been slogging through the quagmire of my life as a broad abroad. Since I arrived a month ago I've been trying (unsuccessfully) to get my American passport renewed. After two methods of payment refused, (the consulate doesn't accept personal checks except their website says THEY DO), (the bank check was written out incorrectly - I didn't specify the MILAN consulate), and two trips to UPS to mail said bad checks, and endless emails back and forth, I'm heading up to Milan on the 8th to do this in person. I am taking a trunk load of documents with me so they cannot send me away. Wish me luck.

Autumn is upon us. Days are cool, gray and gloomy but there is a bit of rain after many, many months of drought. I've started my hibernation. I've dug out the woolies, started making soups, and have the desire to sleep for 12 hours when I'm not cuddled up under a blankie on the sofa. It takes a lot to get me outta the house in this weather. Food and wine work. GP has to bribe me with promises of a good bottle to get me to take a walk. It has to be a GOOD bottle. I'm not THAT easy.

MIL is beginning to lose her buttons. She's starting to fib. She was always the most truthful of people. She never had cause to lie as she has always believed herself to be right in all things. She is now starting, at 90, to doubt herself in some small matters and so fabricates stories as cover-ups. She shouldn't eat much cheese, denies she does, then buys (not exaggerating) 10+ varieties every time she goes to the supermarket. WE TAKE HER TO THE SUPERMARKET. WE SEE THE CHEESE! MIL enjoys the attention she gets when she goes to the doctor for check ups and blood tests so she invents reasons to go. She calls to order a range of blood tests she doesn't need beacause she just had them a month ago and tells us the doctor ordered them.. He did not. GP is contacted for all of her medical events. She waited til GP was in Germany on business to do it. As if he wouldn't find out. WE TAKE HER TO HER DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENTS! Tomorrow is market day. Let's see how it goes.

After years of thinking about it, I've joined The International Women's Club of Turin. So far I've only signed up for one activity, Mindfulness. How long has Mindfulness been on our radar? 5 years? 10 years? I have no idea. I thought I'd give it a try. After 2 weeks I have come to the conclusion that there is either NO POINT in my doing this or that I really, REALLY need it. There is no middle ground. Trying to control my thoughts is like playing pinball. My attention bounces all the hell all over the place and I'm trying to get it into a teeny hole and keep it there. The gal who runs the sessions is a German doctor with a PHD in something or another. I wasn't paying attention. She assigns us Mindfulness practice exercises that we should do every day. HA! Whether I am pondering the raisin I'm about to eat or contemplating my toes during my full body scan, I am fighting a full out battle in my head. I have the attention span of a gnat. I'm off to do my homework. Sob. xxoo me