Rome Trip

All Photos can be seen here:  Rome Photobucket pictures

Rome was AMAZING!!!!  We had so much fun and ate some fantastic food!!   I am not going to make this a long post with lots of details.  I am just going to tell a very small bit of the trip.

We left on Sunday and after  a 2 hour delay at the airport and almost missing our connecting flight, we finally made it to Rome!!  My luggage decided to stay in Chicago for an extra night so I didn't have my clothes until Wednesday.  Sigh......

Our first day we roamed the streets of Rome and found the Trevi Fountain along with the Pantheon.  Our hotel was a 10 to 15 minute walk from these sites!!

On Tuesday, we went to the Colosseum.  This is a picture of the floor removed so you can see the underground.  This is where the gladiators and animals were kept.

Mark and I had Gelatto everyday!!  It was wonderful!!!

I was amazed by the architecture of Rome.  The doors were huge!!!  I found out it was because the buildings were built in the 17th and 18th century so they had to be big enough to have horse drawn carriages go through them,

Mark and I went and toured the Vatican on Friday.  This is us in front of the Church.  Take a look at the statues and the top of the church.  We climbed to the very top of it!!! Yep....even with my fear of heights!!!

Here we are the top with the city of Rome in the background.  As you can see, Mark is standing right behind me protecting me from falling through the gate that is cemented in concrete!  

Coming down the 320 steps...we are leaning because we are in the circular part of the dome.  Yes, the stairs were very tiny!!!

This is a zoomed in picture of the top of the cupola were we were standing.  I was able to stand and walk behind the pillars.  I felt safe then. 

Here are the statues at the top of the church.  We were able to walk up close to them and take this cool picture.  

We had such an amazing time but I was happy to get home and see my boys!

Victorian Village is Finished!!!!!!

YES!!!!!  I finished it before I leave for Rome!!!!  I am so happy to have it finished.  The sweet shop was the last shop to stitch.  This design took  longer than intended because I am taking that college class.  I have taken two tests so far and I made a 100% on the first one and a 99% on the second!!!!

We leave for Rome tomorrow!!!  I cannot wait!  I have been very anxious about the flight for some strange reason.  Mark and I made a trip to Wal-Mart.  My DH was so nice, he bought me a new video game to play on the plane!!!  So excited!!  We also stocked up on snacks so we don't have to buy food on the airplane.  I do have to study some while on vacation....but that is ok.  I have also packed my Cinderella's castle to stitch on the plane.

Summer Ball and Summer Goals

I finally finished another page of Summer ball!!!!!  2 pages down and 4 to go!!!  Stitching is moving very slowly right now due to my going back to school.

There is no papers to write in my history class, however there are 5 tests and they are going to be hard!!!!  I have spent this weekend working on my first test which was a take home test.  This will be the only take home test though...I am 3/4's the way finished!!!  Just one more essay to write and  I will be finished.

Mark and I leave for Rome next Sunday!!!!!  I am so excited!!!!  One week in Rome!!! Can't wait....

Here are my summer Goals so far...not sure many more will be completed but one can hope.

1. Clean out laundry room

2 Clean out desk Area in Kitchen

3. Go through the laundry basket of magazines so they can be recycled

4. Organize recipes torn from the magazines into a recipe binder.  I found this awesome site to help me get organized.

5. Print all my pinned pinterest recipes.  I love this site so I am going to start printing and trying them out.  Will let you know how they turn out.

6. Make a binder of my pinterest holiday items.  

7. Wind all DMC Floss onto binders.  -Finished up to 801.

8.  Put one of each DMC color into a Jammer box so I can have a box for travel. -Cannot do this because the bobbins don't fit in the ones I have....

9. Write Common Core Goals for my classroom. - School goal

10. Write an assessment test  to go with the common goals - school thing

11. Write my Life Centered Career Lesson plans for my kiddo's

12. Review and figure out the Xtra Math website I want my kids to use next Year

14. Make a teacher binder for next year .

13. Make and mail a class supply list before July to all my kids.

15. Make a household binder.  This is an example.  I have several pinned on pinterest that I want to combine. 

16. Finish my Donor Choice application for supply donations to my classroom.

17. Make a shopping price list of all things that I use regularly so I know where the better buy will be.

18.  Get my photos organized. Right now they are stored in drawers, discs, flashdrives and my computer.  I need to get them in albums or photo boxes..something better than I have now.

19. Finish organizing my coupon binder.

20.  Finally go to the Electric Company and Cable company to get my name changed from my maiden name to my married name.  It only has been 6 years..

Sunday Retreat

No pictures today.....I loaded up my car with my stuff and Vicky L's stuff.  The fires were moving closer to CO Springs and my car was covered with ash.

We said goodbye to Karin and Vicky and I set off for the long drive home.  I was giving her a ride to Tulsa so she could visit her cousin.  We stopped at Sonic around 9:10 am and the made 2 other stops before we hit Tulsa at 8:35.

I finally made it home at 11:04!!!  It was a LONG drive.  I am thankful for my friends who chatted with me on the way.  The retreat was awesome!!!

Saturday Cross Stitch Retreat

Saturday morning, Karin, Penny and I decided to go to Cripple Creek, Co for the day.  It was Donkey Derby day at Cripple Creek so there were craft vendors and street food!  

 We first boarded the train for a train ride and history lesson of Cripple creek.  Isn't this just beautiful???

After the train ride, Karin and Penny went up to the working mine where you travel in a very small elevator down 1,000 ft and then take mine train ride to see how the mine works.  Can you say NO WAY IN HADES!!!!  I went and explored the town.  I went to the main museum and found this beautiful Historic Cross stitch sampler!!!

There was a small village outside where a chipmunk was living.  I am assuming because he didn't move while I was taking pictures.

I stopped in one of the casinos quite by  accident!!  No REally!!  I went in this store that was advertising chocolate and at the back was a back entrance to the casino. What did  I see?? Penny Slots!!! My weakness!!  It was the Money Tree Slot....I put in $15 came out with $24....so I left while I was ahead.  

Made my way to the Jail museum where I got caught!  They took my mugshot and put me in a cell!!

It was so cool that they had the outfits for you to try on and pose in.  While I was having lunch at the Cripple Creek Tea room (have i mentioned I love having teas???) I found out that the Highway we came in on was now closed due to fires!!!  We had to drive 1.5 hours out of the way to get back to the hotel.  

We ordered pizza and had Rotel dip. I made that since most of the retreat attendees had NO idea what Rotel dip was!! Too shocking for me....  We then went through the donated charts by the designers and I had so much fun!!!

We were having so much fun that we were unable to finish Meari's finishing class..kinda funny huh???   

Meari had an early flight so she went to bed, while Karin and I sat and chatted a while longer.

Friday Cross Stitch Retreat

Friday morning I slept until 10:00 and felt WONDERFUL!!!  Karin, Vicky, Meari and Penny went to see the wolves while Mare and I hung around the hotel. Sandy took off and explored on her own.   When everyone got back (except Sandy...she was having fun on her own) We headed off to Miramont Castle for an afternoon tea.

I would like thank all Retreat Attendees for playing Victorian Ladies with me and going for the tea.  We had so much fun!!!  We dressed in Victorian Hats (Karin had to be difficult and wear a men's Bowler hat).  Sandy did come and join us for the tea. The tea was so yummy!! Penny, Karin ande I chose the light tea which came with Scones, sandwiches and a dessert platter.  The others chose sandwiches, salads or soup.  

Sandy, Karin, Vicky L, Penny, Me, Meari and Mare

 Don't Meari and I look pretty in our hats???

Whereever we go, Karin finds a furry friend to pet and play with!!!

 Didn't you always want to be a fireman?????

Karin, Meari, Penny and me

 The staircase in the castle was so pretty!!!

Sitting in the conservatory enjoying the afternoon,.

I would love to dress like this for one day!!! I think it would be fun!

Check out the bathroom and bathing clothes!!!

After we explored the castle we went joined up with Sandy and Mare at Historic Colorado Springs for some more shopping.  I bought some tea, a lace table runner and some lemon curd to make lemon tarts!!!  WE then left to go to Hobby Lobby for supplies for Meari's class.  Then to Texas Roadhouse for dinner!

Back at the hotel, we worked diligently on Meari's finishing class.  You can find her class and her review of the retreat at her blog.

Mear is teaching me to glue... i have issues!!

After the finishing class, we then went through all the free charts.  The free charts is stash that you have that you no longer want...so we bring it to find it a new home!!!  It is so much fun!!!!

Thursday of Cross Stitch Retreat

Thursday morning, Karin and I decided to drive into Denver so we could play in a couple of Cross Stitch stores.  OMG!!  We feel in love with Christine's Brazilian Embroidery Store  She has the needlework store you dream about.  The best thing...she believes in carrying everything and will order ANYTHING for you!!!!!  

fibers and small mill hill kits

Large Mill Hill kits wall, and fibers

Pretty colors!!!  They were so much fun to pet...so soft!!

Karin playing in the brazilian embroidery patterns

 We played for over an hour and a half.  She had so many charts, buttons, fibers and fabrics to play with....2600 sq. ft worth of fun!!!  She now has my CC information so I can send her an email and she will mail me whatever I need!!! How AWESOME!!!  She was kind enough to tell me about the Lizzie Kate new mystery project (had no idea) and I am now on her order to list to have it shipped to me!!! Can't wait!!!

After we went to Christines house, we stopped at Fanci mats and more.  Because I was drinking so much water, my first stop was to the potty.  I had to laugh, because the potty room was covered in models and

Stash you could buy!!!  How funny is that???

On the way home, Karin and I stopped for Sushi and then because it was Happy Hour at Sonic we stopped there too.  We ordered Cherry Limeades and Mozzarella sticks. We then went back to the hotel to wait for everyone else.

Meari finally arrived with all her luggage!!  I was excited to see it because it had the Designer charts they send us as a donation.  So much fun!!!!  We hung out for a while reading and listening to the TV.  Sandy finally made it and came to join us.  Mare from NY come over for a visit.  Sandy, Meari, Karin and I went and had dinner at the hotel.  We were waiting for Vicky and Penny to arrive so we could all go to Ruth's stitchery.

While we were having dinner, Vicky L called to let us know that her bus had broken down outside of CO Springs and could we come pick her up?  While we were waiting for her to get us correct directions we ran into Penny!!!   Meari and I drove out to Fountain, CO to pick up Vicky, then we all headed to Ruths' stitchery for some shopping.

I am not sure what happened from the time we picked Vicky up to the time we got to Ruths but I got so sick!!!  I had to leave the store to go pick up some Advil PM and tums.  I thought I was going to die....we now know I was suffering from Altitude sickness.  When we got back to the hotel, I took an Advil PM and went to bed.  Everyone else was playing!!!

Wednesday of Cross Stitch Retreat

I woke up Wednesday morning very refreshed and rested.  After a long hot shower, I got dressed and went to downstairs to the free breakfast.  It was YUMMY!!!  I knew that Karin wouldn't be arriving until later so, I decided to go do some sightseeing on my own.  I checked out of my hotel and went to see Seven Falls.  It was BEAUTIFUL!!  As you can see it right behind me.  

In order to get to Seven falls I had to climb these stairs and then another set on the side of the resting point.  There were 244 stairs today.  Just so you know I am SCARED of heights!!  I stared up and got about 1/4 of the way, had a small panic attack and went right back down.  Tried to climb again...got about 1/2 way up and had another small panic attack and went right back down.  I then proceeded to call Mark.  He told me to suck it up and climb the stairs..so I did partway.  I was able to climb 134 stairs to the first stop and then was shaking so much I had to wait for another family going down to join them!!!

 This picture was taken after I took the elevator  up the mountain, which was scary because I am a chicken.  I don't mind elevators in buildings because there are floors but I hate elevators in mountains!  I had to ride with a family going up.  Beautiful sight to see though...

After leaving Seven Falls, I proceeded to drive through Garden of the Gods.  The scenes were so pretty.  This is Balancing Rock.  I wonder where they go this name???

After my sight seeing, I checked into our Hotel Room.  We stayed at the Crown Plaza Resort.  The room was VERY nice!  We had a suite loft.  This is the living room with a sleeper sofa.  We had the hotel bring in a 6x6 table chairs so we could stitch.

 This is the microwave, Krueg coffee machine, and small Fridge. Behind that is the small bath with shower, sink and potty.

Large TV and stand.

Stairs to our bedroom. They were very solid stairs and didn't wobble when you climb them!!!  AWESOME!

Very Very comfy Kingsize bed

The bathroom had 2 doors ...one for the potty and bath, and the other to close off the double sinks so you could get ready while someone slept in a little longer (which was usually me!!!

Karin made it in and we decided to go to lunch and then tour the Historic downtown Colorado springs.  They had lots of little shops to play in.....we went back to the hotel to stitch, watch TV and catch up.