slidergirl

I forgot to mention: stanley Tucci is back again on CNN Sunday Oct 9. Rumors i've seen have Stanley visiting Puglia, Sardinia, Liguria, and Calabria. Get those Italian snacks and drinks ready!!! Sherri - I sure hope you and your place survived intact. Some places a little up A1A in Cocoa Beach (where my friend lives 1/2 time) had some wind damage - one place up on Minuteman lost part of their roof. I'm just so sorry for those people on the West coast - so much damage. now, i've heard that he may re-intensify and head toward South Carolina. i have part of family living down there now, between Beaufort and Charleston. Country folk could get their first taste of hurricane... I have to go to Home Depot and pick up a furnace filter and an intake filter - it's that time of year to replace and be prepared to fire up the furnace. It's only supposed to get up to 62 today, so OOTD will be jeans, long sleeve T, hi tops and a baseball hat.

i didn't see grab & go places in Florence. The closest thing would be to duck into a grocery (Conad, Carrefour) and grab some of the pre-made items. On your way back to the train station, across the street there is a McDonalds if you are desperate.

i did forget to mention one cool tool that the Apple instructor showed us. It's called a pocket tripod. he keeps it in his wallet. It folds up to make a little stand for your phone to use for a multitude of things. It will rotate the phone to the angle you want. It sure seems like a neat thing to have in the travel bag. Lois - yay for you to have the new laptop all set up and ready to go! It is nice to have help with that. I had a nice guy at the Apple store help me with the setup and data transfer with me iPhone back when I bought it. ootd: just sitting here in joggers and a long sleeve Tshirt - it only got down to 60 in the house last night. I have housework planned today so I'll probably switch to a short sleeve when I get going.

i'm a hand-cranker too. In a pinch, I am pretty handy with the opener on my Swiss Army knife from my days as a Girl Scout and backpacker. I'm thinking maybe put a bottle or two of red wine in the ICE box - something to drink other than water! Or maybe a box of wine... 😸 OOTD: joggers and a sweatshirt again (59 in the house when I got up), moving to leggings and a Tshirt when it warms up. Now it's evening (I forgot to send the top part)... If you have an iPhone, find an Apple Store and take their "Photography on iPhone" class. I was surprised at how much I learned. Some cool features that aren't readily apparent, basic portrait, some settings to make things easier, and the hidden macro feature. I'm going to take all the ones available now. The "Framing Architecture" class is the next one i'm going to take since I love taking photos of pieces of buildings, churches, statues. then, i'll work on the editing class. there was an Athleta shop in the mall. Went in to actually see those Brooklyn pants. While I didn't like them, I could see them working in hot weather when traveling. I was also interested in looking at the Delancey Cargo pant. The Rustic Beige color is like a light brown and would work for wearing for work. The Foliage Orange is a really fun color but i'd be afraid to wear for work. Very comfortable pants. new OOTD: jeans and my lightweight white henley shirt, pink high tops. it was 92 down in the Valley this afternoon.

That hotel is about a block or 2 from where I stayed. In between the two on Rue Jacob you'll find a Lauderee macaron shop, if you happen to need a little sweet. I found Breizah Cafe - I really loved their buckwheat crepes. it's across from le Comptoir restaurant - a nice bistro for dinner (no reservations, so you have to wait in line - i waited for 30 minutes). I walked all around that area into the night. A really fun and lively area. Enjoy!

I've had 2 hometown Olympic experiences, and a few World Championships. yes, things will be all over the place. I haven't heard of many venue locations yet. Soccer will take up stadiums all over France most likely. I assume surfing will be at Biarritz, a well-known surf spot. Road cycling I bet will include the Paris portion of the Tour route. It's just a logistical problem all around.

i had someone tell me to unplug electronics and TVs in case the power goes wonky - it can fry them. i was going to bring up the morphie battery packs, but i was typing too long, i have a bunch of solar-powered battery packs for camping - they also do good duty in an emergency. I keep them charged up and then they can be re-charged when the sun comes back. Works with my usb-powered collapsible lanterns that i have for ICE in my car and for camping. someone once told me that if my washing machine is a top-loader to fill it with ice and you can use it as a cooler.

I know many of you plan way in advance for your cruises so I'd put this out there: The Olympic Summer Games are going to be in Paris and some surrounding areas July 26 - August 11, 2024. Based on previous experience with Olympics, the airport will be more of mess than usual, hotels are scooped up in big blocks for vendors and groups and the ones left will charge a LOT more than usual. If you were planning on some sightseeing, you may be detoured by some events on some days. It may be a good time to do a cruise that doesn't require Paris...

I'd bring a reusable grocery bag. use it to take what you want to the pool. when you go ashore, take it to put purchases in instead of getting a single-use bag. you're going for utility, not fashion on this one. You can go with one of those little lightweight foldable from walmart/ikea/etsy. Or, go with a little social conscience and get a cloth bag from FEED. I use one from FEED myself year-round to carry miscellany and to go the farmers' markets.

i'm a little behind. no reason, just lazy, i think. MrT (sorry, I had to do that!) congrats on the upcoming addition to the family pod. you get another dose of those wonderful baby smells!! melody - good thoughts for your scan. i swear, we've all had some rough times the past 2 years. it's time for all of us to have good health and happiness. Cynthia - while you're still here - have a great time on your cruises. Are you going to go straight to Ravenna to do some mosaic exploration there or hanging in Venice? I expect a travelogue and photos - especially some food porn!!! lois & sherrie and everyone else in FL: hoping that you end up outside of the "cone of uncertainty". Besides the water and food, be sure you have batteries and lighting and a battery-operated radio. That's what my friend in Cocoa Beach has in the cottage. if you have USB-chargeable things, charge them up the day before so you have a charge a long as possible. AND, have a wrench handy so you can turn off the gas at the house if you do get damage (learned that one from earthquake preparedness). hurricane and earthquake preparedness seem to have a lot of the same basics. i ended not going up to my downtown yesterday. i just wasn't in the mood to get lunch there, so no stop in the Athleta store. BUT, i am taking a "how to use your iPhone to take good pictures" class down in the Valley at the Apple Store Tuesday afternoon. There is an Athleta store in the mall, so I can stop off there. I wish I had the time to take the 3 classes before I went to Europe, but better late than never. I have a friend solo hiking the Camino de Campostela. She's done a month's worth so far. Her photos are amazing and she said she's just doing the 'point and pray' method like i did. She has a better eye for composition than i do. maybe i'll learn a little. Apple + subscribers; I watched Gutsy the other day. it's the Hillary and Chelsea show where they are interviewing/highlighting women. It is actually very good. And, I'm bummed that I have no Ted Lasso to watch! I got hooked on it. And, doubly bummed to find out the next season is the last... OOTD: starting out with joggers & a sweatshirt (57 in the house this morning), switching to shorts and a Tshirt if I go out in the afternoon (up to upper 70s/low 80s).

I'm glad someone spoke up instead of me for once. I'm one who gets very triggered by fragrances - bad headaches. I've had to get up and leave places when someone has a fragrance on. I even had to tell the florist who did the arrangements we had on our Front Desk at one of my hotels to please not put certain flowers in the arrangements - i had to leave work once because of the lillies in the arrangements next to me. Leave the fragrances at home please.

Man, I sure hope no one's cruise is disrupted or made very uncomfortable at sea with Fiona. The people on land - well, I hope they stay safe and make it through unscathed. My travel "hamster wheel" was in full gear the past 2 days. Maybe a midweek trip down to Las Vegas. Frequent flyer miles for the flight because I don't want to drive 5 hours. But, if I drive, I could stock up at Bob's Discount Liquor and Eataly. Use my AMEX to get a room at the Cosmopolitan that gives me benefits to make the room price Ok (free breakfast, $100 at spa, upgrade, guaranteed late checkout). Go see Meow Wolf's installation there. Bask on my private balcony and listen to music, do an Audible or actually read. Well, I shut that down fast. I'll save it until April and my birthday (was supposed to do it 2 years ago, but COViD screwed that up). I love my Pranayana wraps, but after wearing them (probably) 3 out of 5 days at work for 3 years, I needed a little variety in my wardrobe. I run warm in the first place and sometimes I get really hot with some of the tasks I do so I want to stay lightweight, flexible and comfortable. Didn't see any sweaters/wraps I was drawn to in Athleta, but the Delancy straight cargo pant in the brownish color do look interesting. The pumpkin color would be fun, but a little too much for work. I may drive into town over the weekend and see how they look on me. It would be a break from all the black pants and leggings I wear at work. Oh, Pact is having 25% off now, too. It's the organic cotton site I've bought from. OOTD: leggings and long sleeve Tshirt. The high is supposed to be down to 66 today. But, back into the 70s for the weekend.

Surprised to hear that. unless you don't like to eat at 10pm, there isn't a reason not to take that one. I had a restaurant that I wanted to eat at in Florence that only took phone reservations. i had my hotel try to make reservations 3 months in advance for me and gave them 3 nights to try. came back with 1 night at 10pm and i took it because this was the 3rd time I was trying to get in. 10pm was no different than eating at 8pm. it's not like the streets are closing up at 10pm or even midnight. There is activity around the Pantheon area late into the night.

My water bottle isn't collaspible and I now use my iPhone 13 Pro as my camera, other than that, I agree with Cynthia. What i will add is: reading glasses bandana or other scarf that i will use for multiple purposes. I usually tie this to my bag strap.

Sherrie - have a great cruise!! As far as my getting ready for work season - it has been sale season so I have been hunting for a couple of pieces for the winter. I was getting a little bored with wearing my Athleta Pranayana Wraps all the time (I have multiple colors) so I wanted a few more options. My shoes and boots from the last 2 years are stiill in good condition so I don't have to worry about footwear. i just have to be sure that what i buy is multipurpose and not just workwear. i probably won't get back town to TJs for a few weeks. I picked up some generic plain bagels at my neighborhood market so I have something to put the pumpkin cream cheese on. Already had 2 servings of the pumpkin oatmeal and a serving of pumpkin overnight oats. if you like rosé wine, see if you can find a bottle of Il Rosé di Casanova from Casanova della Spinetta. It is the rosé that i had at the la Spinetta winery befiore the Andrea Bocelli concert. Everyone was buying it to take home or buy to be shipped but because of Utah laws and I had no room in my luggage, I couldn't get any. imagine my delight when I found it in my State liquor store when I was looking for another rosé. It is a small winery so I was totally shocked to find it. i only noticed it because I saw the distinctive rhinoceros on the label. i set up Apple TV on my not-all-that-smart TV over the weekend. i had 3 free months of Apple TV from buying my iPhone. I always hear people talking about Ted Lasso and it wins Emmys, so I've wanted to watch it for awhile. I ended up binging the whole 1st season Saturday night. I really, really like it. I'll bing season 2 next weekend. There is also 'Gutsy' - a show by Hillary and Chelsea Clinton. They interview and interact with female guests. I saw a teaser of it when I saw them on another show last week and thought it could be interesting. OOTD: again, joggers and a sweatshirt this morning since it's 58 in the house, but I'll change to a tshirt late as the temp will get to the upper 70s later this afternoon.

Cynthia - good on you for finding those EF pants!! The vax cards - the local Walmart just gave me a new one when I got my first booster as the way the card was filled out for my original 2 took up the whole card. i just carry both. Supposed to have our first day of Balloon Fest, but the weather did not cooperate. At least the balloons did inflate so people could see them. Hope for better weather tomorrow. For my love of things pumpkin, I am not a fan of pumpkin spice coffee. I think I prefer my coffee "naked" with just cream. otherwise, they are too sweet for me. I found some leggings!! pact, one of the websites i frequent, had gray organic cotton ones on sale for $20. Couldn't beat that. if they don't work for work, I can wear them for just getting around town. OOTD: leggings & a long sleeve T for now - it's in the 40s but will get up to upper 60s later.

I was talking about my experience this summer. There were also a lot of mini mini dresses and skirts. When i was around in the Fall, yes, no shorts. not like here at home where people will wear their shorts and sandals in the middle of Winter when it's 10 degrees 😲

Don't have a kohls brick & mortar store, but i'll check the website.

During my month in France and italy this past july/August, I really didn't see any 'dress up' as i would see on a cruise ship. During the day, everyone was dressing to endure the 99+degree temps. in the evening i think i saw 2 types - those who were out all day and stopping for dinner and those who got home or to the hotel to change to comfortable casual clothes, Still lots of shorts, but plain t-shirts/polos and sleeveless tshirt dresses. I wasn't dining in the evenings at dives, either; i'd put on a Tshirt dress or my linen shorts with a sleeveless shirt and I never felt out of place. this was what I encountered in both big cities and little villages.

The oddities of contactless vs insert and signing/not signing is a function of 90% of US-issued cards. They are set up as 'Chip and Signature' primary rather then the 'chip and discrete pin' primary of European cards. Happens all the time at hotels I worked at. Even this summer, in France and Italy I had cases where i had to insert or I had to sign. Even used my iphone wallet and my apple watch wallet at some pkaces. With my cafds, i had no issues at the toll booths or self-serve gas stations. I just went with the flow.

Good morning all. Beautiful morning - have those low-hanging clouds over the hills and mountains, kind of like fog. Crisp air with that smell of rain. For now, it has taken away the sight and smell of all the smoke we had blown our way from the Western wildfires. i ran out to get my coffee again this morning. But i stopped at the market and picked up cream so i'm good to go at home again. it was hard paying $10 for a 20 oz nonfat latte and a scone!!! once in awhile it's ok, but not everyday!!! Fashion question; Besides that cable knit vest i'm hunting for, i'm also looking for a pair of dark/medium gray leggings. i want to wear them for work as i'm getting a little tired of black. i'm not a high-waist fan and that seems to be all I find. not looking for Athleta/lululemon/Sweaty Betty ones, but ones to wear out. if anyone has any ideas, let me know. OOTD: jeans and a black longsleeve tshirt. i'll change when it warms up.

Lois - I was just going to add that i received packages all the time for arriving guests, just put your name and "arriving <date>" When the guest arrives, i'd give the package. Works for within the US, but not sure how it would work internationally. i actually checked my roller on the flight back from Paris because i bought some knives. Just because it was a carryon does not mean it cannot be checked!! That's how I go.

The op said 'village' of marseilles, just wanted to let them know that Marseille is actually a city, the third largest of France... if you don't want to take that tour, you can do your time in the Old Port, take a ride up to the cathedral, out to the fort, take a boat out to the island mentioned by hank. There is also a tourist train yu can do - look up 'marseille tourist train' on the 'net for details,

True that. one of the restaurants i like to visit in Florence, Trattoria Sostanza, is still cash-only. I keep cash on hand to visit the gelato stores or coffee shops. And, i keep enough cash on me to cover a nice meal if i encounter a "cash only" place.

Didn't go into town, so no vaxes yesterday. i went the other way, down the Valley to pick up a package that wasn't available for pickup last Thursday. it was upper 90s down there - i wouldn't have felt it except the back of my neck was sweating. Stopped at TJs to see if they got more pumpkin things in. Got the cream cheese, but they didn't have the bagels yet. The Customer Service guy said that both stores in SLC should get that delivery the end of the week. i did get some sparkling water and apple cider. and, i went to the italian/spanish food store to do a little browsing for olive oil and balsamic. didn't get any balsamic but I did get some EVOO. And, some interesting potato chips from Spain that were Iberico ham-flavored. they were really good!!! A very subtle taste to then and thin and crisp. Torres was the brand. looks like amazon has them, too. Turns out that my Gigi Pip hat store is a couple of doors down from the food place. yes, i knew that going to Caputo's. Ended up with a new hat for Fall and Winter, the Zephyr in Cream. It has a very similar profile to the summer Arlo that i wore all summer long. now i have 3 different profiles in 3 different colors so i should be good for the Fall and Winter. The Zephyr doesn't have a hatband, so I can play with different things to go with my outfits or match my mood. regarding shingles vax; I think many of us are old enough to remember being sent to play with the kid who had mumps, pox, measles, so we'd get it and be done with it. Well, that's how we did it in my little farm town. So, I know I had it all. When I got my first incident of shingles, there was no vax and no one covered the pills, so they were VERY expensive and not totally effective. I dealt with it. Right on the middle of my lower back, where your pant tops would go. Couldn't wear even sweats and every time I moved, it hurt worse. like i said, it's the one thing i wouldn't wish on my enemy. Get the vax!! Cool and rainy today and supposed to be that way the rest of the week - upper 60s during the day and mid/low 40s overnight. Ahhhhhh. OOTD; had to go out to get my coffee this morning (no cream at home), so I put on jeans and one of my plaid flannel shirts and my Olu Kai slip ons. Got home and changed into my joggers and a Tshirt.