Women

Today is National Women's Day here in Italy. Don't you just LOVE this country? Here all the museums are letting women in for free and selling traditional yellow Mimosa flowers (which happen to be my favorite) My sweet husband came home with my very own bouquet of these since I had been having a rough few days. Whats even sweeter is that he had NO idea why everyone was selling these flowers or that is was womens day until after he had given them to me.

Since I am living in Italy,its traditions are now mine. I would like to take some time to recognize some phenomenal women in my life. My mom, my step-mom, my mother in law, my grandmas, and a few of my aunts.

These women are the most unbelievable people. Each of these women are strong in their own way and have offered me something different to enrich my life. I am so blessed to have them all in my life and be able to learn from their great examples. I know that because of each of these magnificent women, when the time comes I will be a great mother because they have shown me how.

I also would like to say how grateful I am that I have been shown what it means to be a woman. I see the world today and I feel so sorry for all girls who are lost, confused or unsure about who they are. I know that I am a daughter of god and is it my duty as a woman to make this world a better place by grace and love. I know that beauty comes from within (even though I sometimes forget) and that the world does not determine my worth, but god does. I am grateful to be able to one day be a mother and to carry within me a child and to be able to have the experience of growing a tiny spirit within me.

To all the beautiful women in my life, thank you for all you have done and continue to do for me. I love you and I appreciate you

Roller Coasters

Usually I love roller coasters and I can ride them a billion times and never get sick and still want more.
As my dear friend Abby pointed out in her blog this week..emotional ones are no fun. How is it possible to have such a great day yesterday and then want gorge myself in chocolate day the next? Anyone? Anyone? Today can cram it. I'd call home if I could, but don't worry GB did not leave me full instructions on how to use the phone....again.
Boo today, you AND my sickness can take a hike and fall over a cliff

preferably this one

Me

Today was Molto Bene! A much needed day of ME!

I started the day sleeping in. It was a rough night and I ended up having to pop one of my pony pills...therefore...I woke up at the crack of 12 to our maid asking me a question. GB was already gone for the day so it was all me.

Since I missed breakfast I made lunch. IT. WAS. YUMMY. I made pasta with red and yellow peppers and a creamy red pesto pepper sauce that was to DIE for! I would have taken a picture but I was unable to locate the midge camera. During lunch I decided to try Tommy and Abby's bio life mix to help with health and energy. I mixed it with my water and it was surprisingly delish! Great lunch.

After lunch I took a glorious shathe! I laid sat in that sucker for 20 min.

I then decided my sickness could cram it because I needed to get out. It was actually super warm today. I had a T-shirt on and didn't even need a jacket. After a little stroll of admiring all the newly opened gelato shops, I decided to treat myself to a well earned Solarium session. Its getting warmer so it is most definitely time to shed this pastiness. ( don't worry, GB and I had made a previous deal so I had permission for this excursion) It actually felt really relaxing to hop into a tanning bed. After I left the solarioum I initially thought I would stop off at a gelateria and pick up a gelato. I decided against it as I got sicker with each step. And anyway, we have been watching the biggest looser and I have kinda been on a health kick.

I was lucky because I planned on hitting up the Carrefour right by our house for my TP and they had strawberries for one Euro! I picked up some veggies and water and TP and headed home, really needing to lie down. I felt pretty good about my little run.

After I got home I snacked on my strawberries(the best I have EVER had) and read some scrips so I could simultaneously feed my soul while I fed my face. This was the best part of my me day. I love reading them, it always makes me feel so peaceful and close to the lord. During my read today I came upon 2 Nephi ch. 13. I really enjoyed this chapter because just a few days ago my friend Abby and I were discussing things we did and didn't like about Utah. Girls and Fashion were among the "not like" list. We both hate how it seems to be the center of life for SO many girls. It really is a huge issue this day and age. So many girls (at times myself included) worry so much about dressing the outside and don't worry about dressing the inside. This chapter hit that perfectly. I thought it was really interesting and I jotted some notes in my little scripture journal.

I also decided to re-read my Patriarchel blessing. (for readers who are not members of my church- once we are ready we receive a blessing that is extrememly personal and specific to us that is printed out and we always keep) It brought so much comfort to me. It helped me focus on what is really important in my life and helped remind me what my goals should be. Really well spent time for me.

After my reading I did a little study. I really need to be better at this. My Italian needs serious help. I can order and get around but beyond that I am in trouble. After that I cleaned up our room and did dishes and took out trash.

Last night GB I found chicken soup at the mega Carrefour down the road so thats what I ate for din din. MMMMMMMMMMM happy happy girl!

Still on my own, till GB gets home with Klomp, but all in all its been a phenomenal day for me. I love me time because I can actually think and focus on my current emotions. It gives me time to evaluate and see what I need to work on. Today I thought about where I am right now compared to where I was this exact time a year ago. There is NO comparison. This time last year was hands down the WORST time of my life. There are no words to express my gratitude for all the countless blessings I have in my life. My only struggle now is missing people I love. Man what a struggle to be blessed with. I am not sad because of something horrible. I feel sad because I feel an overwhelming love for so many people and I feel it back from them. I am so blessed to have so many amazing people in life and even more blessed that the majority of those people are my family. I could not be any more happy with my life. I am so glad I have so many that I love so dearly and miss so much. I have the 3 of the most amazing moms (mother in law included) who have sacrificed for me and continually lift me up, a phenomenal father who can always make me smile and does whatever it takes to make me happy, an amazing father in law who totally gets me and appreciates the way I am, the most lovable, strong, beautiful siblings, aunts who I am close with and are such an example to me and have more influence on me then they realize. One aunt in particular who has blessed my life more than she could ever know. I am blessed to be close to and have a strong bond several of my adorable cousins and I love them like siblings. I have grandparents who paved a straight and narrow way for me. Not to mention my unbelievable friends and my bestie's family. Last but not least, my husband who is my very best friend and the most amazing man I have ever met whom I have the immense pleasure of being his wife. I don't know of one single person who is more blessed than I am.

Today was awesome. This week has been a tiny struggle, but its temporary. Not even a bad temporary, but a temporary awesomeness. I will be with my lovies again before I know it, so in the mean time I send my love to them, and i'l enjoy living my incredible life here. Yay me

Bazinga

One twelve pack of recious TP- 1.65 Euro

Rubbing it in your husbands face- Priceless

What now GB?

My desperate plea

Since about wed I have been feeling poopy. Nothing serious just achy and super fatigued. Well, its official, I have both of the above PLUS itchy, watery, eyes, and a runny obnoxious nose. Bonus My hubs is gone for the day since I gave him leave to spend a much needed guys day with one of his best friends who came up for a visit. True I also had my selfish reasons, I am an independent woman and I do tend to need me time, so I thought "hey GB can have some guy time and I can have Me time...awesome." (Klomp I do heart you and I am so thrilled to see you)

Oh and this just in: NO toilet paper or tissues...why might you ask? I have used up my tissue supply this week as toilet paper because we are out. Shocking I know, for those of you who know me best, you know this is a frequent occurrence and I have been known on occasion to steal a roll from the McDonalds restroom. Not because I have a naughty side and feel like being a thief every once in awhile, no. But because my sweet husband is under the impression that its the landlord job to purchase OUR toilet paper and refuses to buy it. In his defense, we do have a bidet ..but if you have read my previous post, we know how well that works for me. Its gross in my opinion. Let me ask those out there. Has any of YOUR landlords EVER purchased your toilet paper? Didn't think so... I was also hoping to use this "me" time to be a little sneaky and go purchase my own personal roll, but since I am feeling like death, its possible I won't leave my bed today. I mean I'm not asking for much here, just the comfort of dry TP. Not a ball gown, not jewelry, just a simple necessary pleasure in life.

Now I can't decide if I was smart to let him go so that I can not be mad but rather laugh at the situation with him by the time he is back. Or if instead I wish he was here so I can let him have it and send him on his walk of shame to the nearest Carfour straight away.

But is it REALLY his fault? I mean to be honest last night when we picked up a few groceries and I mentioned we needed it and he replied," Thats the landlords job, and besides you don't need it, we have a bidet." My only response was to roll my eyes and murmur in my head. But lets face it, guys don't pick up on cues, let alone read our minds. Sorry I thought it was common sense. Then again, I always joke how I "married" my father, and my dad has been known to "improvise" in certain...situations I will say. So that parts my fault, marrying a guy like my dad, who just thinks he is so smart he can come up with a BETTER solution to spending money...hence GB's discovery of the Bidet. Sorry they both are honestly TREMENDOUSLY smart... and now I'm just rambling...

I apologize if this appears as a husband bash. I am just in a little delima here...I love GB, I do and he is great. But NO man is perfect, and I guess if I had to pick a few little flaws, being a little TOO "careful" with money and not being able to read my mind aren't the worst.

In the mean time, can someone priority mail be a HUGE stock of Toilet paper? Please????