Here is the start of trip report to Italy from plmn..."My Travels with Mom & Dad"
Nov 10th, 2004, 05:40 PM
#282
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Massa, I burst into laughter when I read your posts! 
Everyone, thank you for the good wishes to my DH. Had to take him to ER this morning so they could shoot him up with pain meds and say "see your primary care physician." Now this leads to a bit of a story but I think I will spare you the details.
I SWEAR I will post a couple of installments tomorrow.
Love, plmn
Everyone, thank you for the good wishes to my DH. Had to take him to ER this morning so they could shoot him up with pain meds and say "see your primary care physician." Now this leads to a bit of a story but I think I will spare you the details.
I SWEAR I will post a couple of installments tomorrow.
Love, plmn
Nov 10th, 2004, 06:50 PM
#283
Wow, I hope he's ok now. My J. was crawling on all fours into the cab. Luckily it was not a slipped disc to be operatd on. The Doc gave him exercises to do but that was long ago, he's still playing tennis twice a week at 70.
Nov 11th, 2004, 03:53 PM
#286
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Okay, sorry ya'll.
Here you go:
Everyone huddled around and we sorted through the keys. This shape is for this door, that shape for the gate inside, use this one for the door that goes up the stairs and finally this one will unlock the door to your room. I of course got the hang of them pretty quickly.
As the outer opened and the surroundings came in to view there was a collective gasp from the family. We were in a foyer/pre-entrance/don't know quite what to call it. Just before the interior gate there were stone steps leading up to what may have been another residence. Through the gate you could see the courtyard. (For a partial view of the court yard see this link: www.worldisround.com/articles/86193/photo16.html
I'm sorry it isn't a better picture. It was taken at dusk with my throw-a-way camera and I might have been under the influence of wine )
As Debbie unlocked the inner gate she explained that the courtyard is where she would serve us breakfast and she confirmed a breakfast time with us that would not conflict with the serving time of another guest.
We made our way up a short flight of stairs just inside the door to the building we would be staying in. We passed a little kitchen on the left at the top of the stairs as we made a right turn down a lovely little hallway. Books were neatly scattered, (if that makes sense), along a wood table abutting the far wall. Tasteful artwork hung above. In the wall on the right was a door to one of the other rooms. The darker tone woods and warm colors lent a hospitable feel to the residence. The ceiling in the hallway was actually quite low compared to what I might have imagined if I had actually wondered ahead of time "hey, I wonder how high the ceiling will be."
At the door to our room Debbie showed us how the door lock could be tricky and then, voila, we were in! 3 beds, spaced well. There was a good size bed that would obviously be my dad's bed and the other two beds we be just right for my mother and I. And there above my bed would be a sign that we were meant to stay at this B&B.
When I was a little girl, back in the big apple, one of the advertising campaigns that my mother did for one of my father's business clients was a series of silk screens that included a piece based on ancient warriors riding an elephant and spearing a tiger. I happened to have one of the prints framed and mounted in my home. Hanging above the bed I would have, was a piece depicting a similar scene. It was just kismet to me, that's all.
My mother fell in love with the bathroom. The main distinguishing charactersitic was the tile. It was a beige color and it lined the walls as well as the floor. They weren't smooth and they were cool to the touch. There was a double sink and a shower. I know this will sound goofy, but mother and I found the commode of interest. When mother graduated from architecture school she designed and built a house for us in Connecticut. On one of the levels was a half bath that had a special toilet in it. Back in the 1970s this was a fairly weird looking toilet to many people. I think it was an early model water saver type, perhaps with almost a danish style to it? Of course I just took this as another sign that we were meant to stay here.
As the briefing on the room was going on I was teetering on a little piece of furniture with my cell phone in my hand. Debbie said that she had a bottle of wine or was it champagne? chilling for us and wanted to know if anyone wanted any? I jumped on that let me tell you. Anything to fortify me for what was to come...
Here you go:
Everyone huddled around and we sorted through the keys. This shape is for this door, that shape for the gate inside, use this one for the door that goes up the stairs and finally this one will unlock the door to your room. I of course got the hang of them pretty quickly.
As the outer opened and the surroundings came in to view there was a collective gasp from the family. We were in a foyer/pre-entrance/don't know quite what to call it. Just before the interior gate there were stone steps leading up to what may have been another residence. Through the gate you could see the courtyard. (For a partial view of the court yard see this link: www.worldisround.com/articles/86193/photo16.html
I'm sorry it isn't a better picture. It was taken at dusk with my throw-a-way camera and I might have been under the influence of wine
)As Debbie unlocked the inner gate she explained that the courtyard is where she would serve us breakfast and she confirmed a breakfast time with us that would not conflict with the serving time of another guest.
We made our way up a short flight of stairs just inside the door to the building we would be staying in. We passed a little kitchen on the left at the top of the stairs as we made a right turn down a lovely little hallway. Books were neatly scattered, (if that makes sense), along a wood table abutting the far wall. Tasteful artwork hung above. In the wall on the right was a door to one of the other rooms. The darker tone woods and warm colors lent a hospitable feel to the residence. The ceiling in the hallway was actually quite low compared to what I might have imagined if I had actually wondered ahead of time "hey, I wonder how high the ceiling will be."
At the door to our room Debbie showed us how the door lock could be tricky and then, voila, we were in! 3 beds, spaced well. There was a good size bed that would obviously be my dad's bed and the other two beds we be just right for my mother and I. And there above my bed would be a sign that we were meant to stay at this B&B.
When I was a little girl, back in the big apple, one of the advertising campaigns that my mother did for one of my father's business clients was a series of silk screens that included a piece based on ancient warriors riding an elephant and spearing a tiger. I happened to have one of the prints framed and mounted in my home. Hanging above the bed I would have, was a piece depicting a similar scene. It was just kismet to me, that's all.
My mother fell in love with the bathroom. The main distinguishing charactersitic was the tile. It was a beige color and it lined the walls as well as the floor. They weren't smooth and they were cool to the touch. There was a double sink and a shower. I know this will sound goofy, but mother and I found the commode of interest. When mother graduated from architecture school she designed and built a house for us in Connecticut. On one of the levels was a half bath that had a special toilet in it. Back in the 1970s this was a fairly weird looking toilet to many people. I think it was an early model water saver type, perhaps with almost a danish style to it? Of course I just took this as another sign that we were meant to stay here.
As the briefing on the room was going on I was teetering on a little piece of furniture with my cell phone in my hand. Debbie said that she had a bottle of wine or was it champagne? chilling for us and wanted to know if anyone wanted any? I jumped on that let me tell you. Anything to fortify me for what was to come...
Nov 11th, 2004, 05:16 PM
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PLMN -- Fabulous report. Too bad it will end soon. With dln's report running concurrently, you both have raised the ceiling. Hope Maitaitom and Degas start.
Hope Dh recuperates soon.
Keep up the good work.
Hope Dh recuperates soon.
Keep up the good work.
Nov 12th, 2004, 05:02 PM
#293
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Thank you everyone for the good wishes for my DH.
emtravel, it is B&B CA'Bernardi - Venice:
www.cabernardi.com
Continuation-
Just a short bit here:
Debbie had informed me at the vaparetto stop that my father's assistant Anne had called the B&B. Debbie informed Anne that we had not arrived yet, and that we would call back when we got in.
When we got to our room, our gracious hostess offered the use of her cell phone to us because mine was very nearly out of battery power.
I tried to call dad's office but the office lines were busy so I called the TIC. I asked the trip insurance company if we could conference call with dad's office and they were kind enough to set it up. I guess I forgot to mention to Anne that we were on a conference call because she started to bad mouth the trip insurance place, calling their services worthless and that was a little embarassing. I had to say "unh, Anne the trip inurance company is on the line with us." I didn't want to piss them off in case we needed them some more, we still had quite a bit of time to get in more trouble on this trip you know.
To make a long story short , everything had been cancelled. The only bright spot was that none of my dad's cards had been used. As for American Express, they had to speak to my dad directly in regards to a temporary card.
Speaking to American Express was a nightmare. Another long story that we will skip over. But let us just say, that the information one American Express agent tells you isn't necessarily the same information another agent will tell you. We were DEFINITELY told on the phone that although my dad could have a temporary Amex Card by the next day, he would not be able to have cash off of it. No way, no how. Also the $500 emergency advance feature was a HUGE hassle to set up, so I told them forget it, we'll do without. (Imagine how pleasantly suprised we were the next day when the agent in the office said, "no problem, how much do you want?"
All through this my folks were talking in the background, being all freaky and I guess it finally got to me. I ended up losing it, sobbing my eyes out. The stress had finally gotten the best of me. (Probably some of that wine too.)
Debbie came to my rescue by getting my parent's to chill out and they finally took pity or got a grip or whatever and moved into low-key. Debbie tried to keep them involved in converstion so that I could finish the arangements for getting the temporary card. Since it was so late in the day we set everything up for the next day. After receiving the security code, confirming the location of the office, the time the card would be ready, I was exhausted.
Debbie had to take off to take care of some personal business at her house, I think mom and I finished the wine and then we took a nap. For the life of me I can't recall what we did for dinner that first night. I guess I didn't make any notes. I did go out on my own for a walk around the little piazza. I browsed in a few of the stores, smoked and watched the gondolier try to entice tourists to take a ride.
Now for the next day I ACTUALLY found my notes, although I really need to find a new shorthand method because I'm having trouble figuring out what I wrote.
emtravel, it is B&B CA'Bernardi - Venice:
www.cabernardi.com
Continuation-
Just a short bit here:
Debbie had informed me at the vaparetto stop that my father's assistant Anne had called the B&B. Debbie informed Anne that we had not arrived yet, and that we would call back when we got in.
When we got to our room, our gracious hostess offered the use of her cell phone to us because mine was very nearly out of battery power.
I tried to call dad's office but the office lines were busy so I called the TIC. I asked the trip insurance company if we could conference call with dad's office and they were kind enough to set it up. I guess I forgot to mention to Anne that we were on a conference call because she started to bad mouth the trip insurance place, calling their services worthless and that was a little embarassing. I had to say "unh, Anne the trip inurance company is on the line with us." I didn't want to piss them off in case we needed them some more, we still had quite a bit of time to get in more trouble on this trip you know.
To make a long story short
, everything had been cancelled. The only bright spot was that none of my dad's cards had been used. As for American Express, they had to speak to my dad directly in regards to a temporary card.Speaking to American Express was a nightmare. Another long story that we will skip over. But let us just say, that the information one American Express agent tells you isn't necessarily the same information another agent will tell you. We were DEFINITELY told on the phone that although my dad could have a temporary Amex Card by the next day, he would not be able to have cash off of it. No way, no how. Also the $500 emergency advance feature was a HUGE hassle to set up, so I told them forget it, we'll do without. (Imagine how pleasantly suprised we were the next day when the agent in the office said, "no problem, how much do you want?"
All through this my folks were talking in the background, being all freaky and I guess it finally got to me. I ended up losing it, sobbing my eyes out. The stress had finally gotten the best of me. (Probably some of that wine too.)
Debbie came to my rescue by getting my parent's to chill out and they finally took pity or got a grip or whatever and moved into low-key. Debbie tried to keep them involved in converstion so that I could finish the arangements for getting the temporary card. Since it was so late in the day we set everything up for the next day. After receiving the security code, confirming the location of the office, the time the card would be ready, I was exhausted.
Debbie had to take off to take care of some personal business at her house, I think mom and I finished the wine and then we took a nap. For the life of me I can't recall what we did for dinner that first night. I guess I didn't make any notes. I did go out on my own for a walk around the little piazza. I browsed in a few of the stores, smoked and watched the gondolier try to entice tourists to take a ride.
Now for the next day I ACTUALLY found my notes, although I really need to find a new shorthand method because I'm having trouble figuring out what I wrote.
Nov 12th, 2004, 06:08 PM
#294
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OH PLMN, I have been thinking of you. First of all I hope your DH back is better.
And again, your writing touches my heart. I hear your pain.
For now I send warm greetings that you and your family are alright.
And again, your writing touches my heart. I hear your pain.
For now I send warm greetings that you and your family are alright.
Nov 13th, 2004, 04:45 AM
#296
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DH is managing, thanks for the concern. I'll let you know how his MRI comes out.
I hope to have the next portion of the report posted by Monday night. Have a great weekend everyone.
I hope to have the next portion of the report posted by Monday night. Have a great weekend everyone.
Nov 13th, 2004, 07:40 PM
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I just now read this entire thread in one sitting. I couldn't imagine what could be going on with way over 200 postings to it. Now I know!!!! I, too, have enjoyed every word of your report--and have experienced an emotional roller-coaster ride as you described your little "episodes."
One tip for something you mentioned waaaaayyy up at the beginning. I use my digital camera to take pictures of the wine labels. That way I don't have to peel them off, soak them, etc. Works like a charm! Makes it easy to send to people, too.
I will be waiting for all your next installments! Thanks for the virtual trip to Italy!!
One tip for something you mentioned waaaaayyy up at the beginning. I use my digital camera to take pictures of the wine labels. That way I don't have to peel them off, soak them, etc. Works like a charm! Makes it easy to send to people, too.
I will be waiting for all your next installments! Thanks for the virtual trip to Italy!!
Nov 14th, 2004, 07:04 AM
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Dogmother, that is a great idea. I wish I had thought of it. My mom told me that a friend of hers removes the labels and puts them into an album.
I haven't forgotten you guys, just taking a short break. I'm off tomorrow and either before or after DHs MRI I will post the next installment.
Thanks again for the encouragement
I haven't forgotten you guys, just taking a short break. I'm off tomorrow and either before or after DHs MRI I will post the next installment.
Thanks again for the encouragement
