Home Sweet Home

After many weeks in Texas, I have finally come back home to Rome. I was starting to scratch at the walls! I'm back with my own things and my sweet little girl, Cicciona. I would say Vance too, but he's in Sicily for work.


I had a great time. So many things occurred. Mom and I were able to gets lots of fun time together. I got certified to teach yoga at the Yoga Institute and then the week after I went on a Carnival cruise with my friend Amy. We went on a rip line tour in Jamaica, swam with the stingrays in Grand Caymans and whipped around on a speed boat in Cozumel Mexico. It was amazing! I highly recommend it.



Then I worked and worked at several hospitals in the Houston area. I loved ever minute of it and every paycheck!! Nursing rocks!!


I was able to visit many friends and family! Marcy and Chris, I'll miss our visits! My niece and nephew are the cutest! My sweet friend Kristy has a pleasantly plump pregnancy belly! I hope she has a smooth delivery in April. I went to New York for a friend's wedding where I met up with Vance who took the photos for John & Cami Boots. Cristina was available to visit me in my Pod! Then the next weekend, I spent time in New Orleans to celebrate my dad's birthday and my cousins wedding. It was a nice family reunion for the most part and I had the opportunity to see Elvis!




So many good times and nice memories. Don't get me wrong, my life isn't fine and dandy all the time. My 94 year old grandmother, Josephine Burgard passed away. Vance and I are grieving the loss of our little angel Timido. And I not only got into a car accident, I got a speeding ticket all in the same week! Now it's back to life and yoga! I start my yoga classes at The American University of Rome on Tuesday.

We'll miss youTimido

Little Timido went to heaven Feb 19 2008. Our sweet kitten (7 months) lost his fight with Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP). Vance and I adopted him along with his sister from the Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary. We loved him from the start even when he ran and hid from us. In just a short time, he won us over. And we did him too. He was a cuddler! So loving and tranquil. He loved to play and loved to get right under your feet! Timido will be missed.

The Gift of Giving

Have you ever donated blood? If not, go do it.

I went to the Blood Center in Katy on Valentine's Day to give blood. I attempted to donate platelets. To give platelets or plasma, you are connected to a machine that separates the platelets/plasma from your blood and then returns the blood to you. The process can take up to an hour. I got a little light headed and decided to stop. I was able to give whole blood though.

People really need blood! As a nurse, I see this first hand. Recently I took care of a gentleman who had a gastrointestinal bleed. He did not know the cause and after a couple of days of tests and procedures the doctors and patient was still clueless. The next day he was scheduled for exploratory surgery where I hope they discovered and fixed his bleed. Over a couple of days, this patient receives 11 units of blood. THIS WAS JUST ONE PERSON!

Imagine how many accidents there are in a day...how many people are in the hospital...how many people can donate...

Find your local blood center and donate... www.giveblood.org (They'll give you free beverages and snacks!)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! Many Blessings in 2008.

2008! Oh my goodness! Where has the time gone?

I'm very happy that I was able to welcome the new year with my family and new friends. One of my resolutions is to try to learn poker reasonable enough to join the table and not be a complete dork! I really haven't thought of any other resolutions so I guess that is my only one thus far!

2008 is already starting out fabulous! I am working my toosh off! I've found a great church near my mom's. Even though it's only for intermittent time frames...it feels right! I will be a certified yoga instructor in a couple of weeks! Just call me 'bendy'! I'll be heading to the Caribbean with one of my best friends later this month and then New York awaits in Feb. So yeah..life is blessed. I'm hoping to see my friends in between my travels and work. Maybe it's better if you guys come to me!!! I might be bend over or upside down...just pay no mind! ;)

I have sucked at taking pictures but as soon as I get some, I will post them.

Vance has returned to Rome and work! :( I miss him! Thanks to him and the webcam I was able to see our babies live action! That including the kitties loungin on the couch and a bit of neck biting! My fierce babies! Little tigers when they aren't sleeping! I'm glad that they are keeping Vance company in my absence. I miss you guys!

Off to bed I go as I have a workday tomorrow!

Have a blessed day & namaste.

November & December updates

I just realized how bad I am at updating all my pages. Just for those who want to know... I'm on facebook, myspace and have a msn space (http://bellacherisse.spaces.live.com/).

November seemed to fly by. I almost can't recall what we did. I was quite busy with my new baby kitties and yoga. Choir has kicked up a bit with a few performances.

Vance and I were quite honored to be present at the wedding of marcy and Chris Freeman on the 27th in Cancun Mexico at the Excellence Playa Mujeres resort. It was spectacular as were the bride and groom.

Now we are both trying to wrap of our To Do list in order to be ready for our trip to Houston. I was asked to work a short term contract at the FAO working in their Medical Service clinic. I'm having a blast and loving being able to do 'nursing'things again. Plus I love to see the Italians look at me in my scrubs when I go to work. That's more or less unheard of! You bring your work clothes to work and change there! You must look your best when you leave your house!!! haha

I have a choir concert at a private facility this Sunday so our practices have increased. I really love my gospel choir. They are such good folks.

For those in Houston, I will see you soon. I'm looking forward to seeing my family, working, going on a cruise with Amy D. ,attending a yoga teacher training course and visiting my dad and family in New Orleans.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Kitty Update

WE ARE ADOPTING THEM BOTH.....

We have changed their names to Ciccia and Timido. They are slowly getting acclamated to our humble abode. Timido is just as we have named him, timid as ever. Ciccio is not happy unless she has had her fair share of food...again hence the name chubby. They are so sweet.

We have already lined up some cat sitters for when we decide to travel. So they are going to be alright! Woohoo!

I'm so happy. Cats at last!

My foster babies

Hey all. I just wanted to introduce my sweeties. Gawronsky 'Ronny' & Veltroni. They are 2 abandoned kittens that were left at the cat sanctuary in which I volunteer. They are about 8 weeks old or so. Vance and I get to take care of them for 4 weeks and then they are to go back to the sanctuary in hopes to get adopted by a sweet family.


Ronny, my name for him as Gawronsky is a mouth full sometimes, is a scaredy cat. He's quick to run and hide and when you get a hold of him, he'll calm down and purr but when the opportunity arises to escape, he does. Veltroni is a lover from the get go. She's also quite rambunctious. I'm sure my downstairs lady is flippin over the rolling ball she can possibly hear. They are sweet siblings who tend to reek havic during the wee hours! We leave them in their 'tent' at night and in the am, the newspaper and litter is all over the place, the tent is somewhat fallen over and the beds in array.
I wish that Vance and I could adopt one, but it's somewhat unrealistic as we both travel often. And most of our friends live in a small box which they call rooms in apartments far from us. One day, our house will have a couple sweet animals which we will spoil rotten!

Vance & I

First I have to say how much I love my sweetheart! I'm so grateful that God brought him into my life. I can't imagine my life without Vance! We have been together for 5 years now! ( thanks love for reminding me!) Sometimes it doesn't seem that much time has passed and then I feel like we've always been together, knowing each other all our lives. Friendship is such a blessed gift we share.


Recently we went to Russia to see our friend Sherraine and the Canadian Women's Fencing Team in St Petersburg Russia. Vance was able to get a photography press pass and take pics of the crew. The ladies competed well and as a team placed 11th in the world. Congrats on beating the Swiss for the first time ever!!!! Unfortunately all were knocked out individually pretty early on. Sherraine's friend Krisztian won the gold metal in Men's Epee Fencing! Bravo!
We were able to tour about with the gang! What a bunch of character! You can only imagine what happens when you put a bunch of Canadians, a Hungarian and an American together! There's dancing, jokes, and laughter...usually at one another!


Seeing Russia for the second time was a bit different. I had more of a chance to listen and observe the locals. Not as friendly as us Westerners for sure! I'm sure lots was lost in translation and the people aren't as cold and rigid as they appeared. St Petersburg is a gorgeous city though.

Vance has been traveling for work quite often these past couple of months and feeling the effects of all that travel! I hope that his current trip in Tunisia is going well. He always seems to feel unprepared and comes out smelling like a rose! He's so good at what he does. That includes picture taking. The photos of the fencing competition are great! He has some possible new photo adventures coming up that I'll inform you on later! :)

Ti amo Vincenzo!

Month gone by

Wow...it's been over a month already. Life continues on bringing blessings and wonder each day. Not much and so much has been happening.

September is the start of school, season premiers and work (especially for Europeans who took august off). The American University of Rome began it's academic year and with that began my first time teaching job...yoga. I'm in heaven! I love yoga, my classes and the girls that I have met. So far no man has had the balls enough to join my yoga class! I know Mr. Harry would if he was in Rome! ;) I've been keeping up with volunteering and am still the volunteer coordinator at the cat sanctuary. I have a little hesitancy at times because yet again I've gotten ringworm form those adorable balls of fur! Italian medicine does crap nothing to get rid of it! I've results to bleaching my spots! *Don't worry mom and Mick, the bleach is diluted!*

Vance and I have come to the realization and acceptance of our current addiction...House MD, the tv series. We have downloaded the last season off itunes and hopefully haven't lost it completely on our hard drive that pooped the bed! We'll see! In the meantime... we are watching what we have and I'm taking occasional peeks in youtube! Hehehe!

My book reading has slowed down as I am out of books. Vance's cousin has given me an idea about online free audio books. Hmmm. If you do have some books handy and would like to pass them on, I'll be in Houston in Dec! Of course fiction is my fav, I love to learn and explore so nonfiction is good too.

Movies....other than the downloaded films we get from friends, I have only recently gotten the chance to see a couple "new" flicks that have recently came out in Rome. Hairspray and Michael Clayton. I loved Hairspray and have seen it twice! Musicals...what can I say! Michael Clayton was a good movie, but it ran slow for me. Clooney did an excellent job carrying the film.

Friends....Of course that is what I surround myself with so I have to blog about it. It's so nice to be able to spend time with my Stephie! She's a sweetheart and I'm so proud of all that she is doing and what she is striving for! My prayers are with her! Veronica is missed as see has escaped to Miami for a month! When she gets back we'll have to have a bbq! Maybe not on my terrace this time as I have great fears of the apartment burning down. (Vance has even tried to ease those fears and bought a fire extinguisher! ) Finally Dani and I were able to get together, thanks to the brilliant planning of Audra. We had a great time at the movies and they had a nice laugh at my bike riding gear.

Life is good and blessed.

Traveling Fool...Where did summer go?

The months of July and August have flown by. Another year older, Vance too.

My fam is dealing with the loss of Aunt Debbie and are keeping the family in our prayers. It seems that now a days the ugly little head of cancer is showing up everywhere. My Aunt Sharon recently had a breast removed. I just think its wild in a day of modern medicine and technology. We just need to keep looking and researching for the cure! So....

Traveling...that is what I have been doing. 2 weeks in Cairo, almost a week in Calabria, Italy and then a week in Venice/Florence. Then Vance and I took off to Sicily and drove west to east across the island along with a trip up Etna, before it erupted! Ha! Missed that by a week!

Thanks to the cat sanctuary I met a great gal Stephanie. Stephanie has been a breath of fresh air. While Misty, my sista from anotha motha, was visiting me, we all took a 'camping trip' to Venice. It was a blast. Classic girl time that was well needed. I wish Vance was able to do that!

Now it is September...time when all the stores/shops/restaurants open back up after a month 'in ferrie', traffic thickens, parking becomes an impossibility, schools fill with kiddos, and the wind becomes a bit fresher. Choir started back up...that was one thing I have been waiting for. Music. It just touches the soul! Then yoga will begin next week. New adventures!

Life is good. Lots of lessons. Lots of experiences. Lots of friends. Lots of love.
Have a great day guys!

IN MEMORY OF AUNT DEBBIE

Kincaid, Deborah Ruth Dailey
DEBORAH RUTH DAILEY KINCAID, 55, of Deer Park, Texas formerly of Huntsville, Texas, went to be with her Lord on Thursday, July 26, 2007. The daughter of Sue Towery Dailey and Dan and Mick Dailey, she was born December 31, 1951 in Crockett, Texas. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Charles and Ruth Towery of Crockett and Tom and Elizabeth Dailey of Grapeland. Debbie graduated from Huntsville High School in 1969 and received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Sam Houston State University. She taught in the LaPorte School District at Lomax Elementary for 30 years. Debbie is survived by her parents and her loving husband of 34 years, Bobby, her two sons, Chad and his wife Kristi, Darren, three sisters, Sharon Shearman and her husband John of Tucson, Anne Heartfield and her husband Bob of Huntsville, Shay Marmande of Katy, one brother, Dan Dailey Jr. and his wife, Barbie of Huntsville as well as numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews, her many relatives and her beloved friends, as well as all the children whose lives she touched through her dedication to early education. Visitation will be Sunday, July 29, from 5:00pm-8:00pm at Niday Funeral Home. The Funeral Service will be Monday, July 30 at 10:00am at First Baptist Church Pasadena, 7500 Fairmont Parkway, Pasadena, TX 77505. Interment will follow at 3:00pm at Crockett Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the First Baptist Church of Pasadena to help others in need.

It's been awhile....but still praying for Aunt Debbie

Sorry, long time no post. Life has taken over! After my return from the US, I've jumped back into volunteering at the cat sanctuary and at the beach at a elderly activity center. So that keeps me busy Monday thru Friday. Weekends are spent with Vance and friends going to the beach, attending a thai kickboxing match, going sailing and lounging. Of course I was at the bookstore the day Harry Potter came out as well as in line when the most recent film premiered. Yes, I am 28 and I love Harry Potter!

Aunt Debbie, A. Anne, A. Sharon

The biggest thing and saddest event is currently happening. My Aunt Debbie is losing her battle with cancer. The cancer is in her heart now. Hospice is at her home and doing all that they can to make her comfortable. I was able to talk to her on the phone and my mom said that Aunt Debbie knew it was me and said 'I love you'. So if you're a praying person, please do so for Debbie and my family. My Uncle Bobby is a trooper and doing his best to accept the fact that he is losing his sweetheart and dealing with his breaking heart. He is by Debbie's side as are their sons, my mom and my grandparents. It's hard not being there, but my prayers are getting to her and my daily calls seem to help me and my family. I hope that Debbie continues to remain pain free (with the help of morphine and God's hand). Things have happened pretty quickly so that is a blessing in a way for Debbie. She is still aware but often sleeps. When I spoke to her a few days ago, she said that she wasn't scared and that whatever God wants she will do happily with a smile. Amazing how one's faith helps smooth the bumps so to say. So in dealing with such a close struggle, ie my own family, I find myself looking deeper within myself and at those near me, appreciating life, family and friends and not holding back. There is always new life after a death. It is so with Debbie's son Chad and his wife who is expecting. Debbie knows that she's going to be a grandma! Even my pepper plant is thriving after the sun killed our other plant. We even have some basil growing! :) Chad may be able to handle a new human life now, but not Vance and I! Plants, pets and then kids!

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog and to say a prayer for Debbie, Bobby and the family.

Race for the Cure 2006

Three in One

Corey and Jenn threw a party for the kids since all their birthdays were within the month. I'm surprised that all the kids were so well behaved and got along! Good kids. Jenn did a great job with the food. Thanks Ines for the ribs! Corey, Devon and Phaedra loaded up on presents! The silly string fight and the pinatas were the big hit of the afternoon. The rain interrupted the big air trampoline, but the kids had fun regardless. More slipping occurred than normal. Corey is so good with the kids, chasing them around. The moms were so happy I'm sure cuz the kids probably slept all night and some.
My niece and nephews are the sweetest and cutest! Enjoy the pics!

Procrastination

Ciao tutti! I just wanted to say hi! I'm in the process of procrastinating packing. I have the motivation and energy, but I'm focusing on other things. Isn't that how it always is? I find myself looking at pics that I wanna put on my facebook and myspace. I've rediscovered a project that I promised Vance I'd do when I have extra time. Si, extra time while I procrastinate! Perfetto!

I haven't left Rome yet, but I find myself missing it already. When are they gonna get teleporting down cuz I could really use it? To continue the procrastination, I'm gonna go on my balcony and talk with my neighbor and then take a walk to stretch out my back and sunburned legs!

I really love this pic of Vance, Sherraine and I. So I put it up! No connection to this blog, just really liked it! Have a great Monday! I'm off to do everything but pack! Bacio!

Travels to Tunisia

I just returned from Tunis with Vance. I think everyone deserves business trips every once and a while. Too often would expand your waistline! I liked being able to tag along cuz I didn't have to be the domestic woman for a week- no cleaning, no cooking, no laundry, nada! Thank goodness there was a fitness room. I was able to run and rid the guilt of the banana split that I thoroughly enjoyed.

The people are generally nice , but I wouldn't bust out in conversation with just anyone though, not that inviting. Tunisia is a very liberal Muslim country. So my in sleeveless or tanks wasn't a complete shock. But regardless of how covered I was, I was stared at. Of course Vance noted this more than I. When we were out in the more resort towns and in tourist areas, I was comfortable, but mostly I felt out of place. Hammamet had a lovely beach.

We had a few channels to watch on the boob tube! I had to laugh at the movie channel we watched, when scenes were edited out so as not to insinuate that a sexual encounter happened. Now that I think about it, kissing scenes were deleted as well. Crazy!

I appreciate the travel experience, but would not but it on the top ten list of my favorite places. I'm always intrigued to learn about different cultures and religions.

I'm glad to be back in Europe! I can go back to talking to strangers and giving hugs to anyone I feel like and kissing my man in public (when he lets me)! People still stare on occasion, but I can handle Italians!

The place of the blue doors and windows! Go if you wanna, but if you're looking for beach time, I would currently recommend Sardegna or Sicily!

TOO DAMN CUTE!!

Joggin' Fool

Yea, I've taken up jogging. The weather is just too nice not too. I am the queen on indoor aerobics and workout DVDs, but there comes a time when you have to say "No, basta, vado fuori!" (Enough, I'm going outside!) Sometimes I say it in both languages simultaneously! I'm cool like that!

Right now the weather is kinda behaving, so I went for a jog with my girl Veronica. Finally, someone at my pace! Woohoo! Now on our way back to my place, the drizzle wanted to deter us from busting out into a sprint, but we didn't let it. Now our legs are wobbly and somewhat numb. Maybe we can walk later only if we never sit down. Cuz you know once you sit, standing and walking are quite the challenge.

Where ever my future takes me, there better be a nearby park! I really love Rome and it's many hills and parks and ice cream (which is why I must continue the DVDs and outside jogs!)

Budapest

This here is me and my bun man. I really liked his buns! He and I met while I was walking the streets of Pest a few days after Easter. (I walked around Buda later that evening! I get around, lemme tell ya!) The way I got to Buda was by crossing this bridge below, so properly called the chain bridge which links the 2 cities.

On the other side in Buda, Vance and I, well really just me, decided to stop and take a cute self portrait after our long trek across Budapest. Vance decided that his blood shot eyes weren't quite GQ, but his shades were, so waalaa!

Yes, I am becoming the world traveller, well European traveller, thanks to this honey muffin above. He works so hard and then reward him (that's what I call it) by sending him to different locations for business meetings.

Fortunately for both of us, we have a friend there. Sherraine Schalm (go see her site and Mr Nelson's too that's about her) lives in Budapest where she is training with several Hungarians fencers. Sherraine is the sh#t! But don't go stalking her! I have permission, you do NOT. Googling her is ok though!

We had oodles, that's right oodles, of fun. We plan on going back again this summer so we can get another Sherraine fix and oh yeah, see more of Budapest. Couldn't really do it all in 2.5 days (not counting business days). So "Igen," "Nem", "Kerem" and "Kosonom" to you all! Don't worry it's just all the words in Hungarian that I learned, no sense all together, but it looks impressive!!!!!

Refunds are great!

So after stalking and harassing, I was finally able to track down my W2 from the previous employer. They so kindly took out some taxes, but not all therefore affecting my refund negatively! Stronzi! They are still good people and I love em dearly. I just won't work for em again!

Speaking of work, I can't wait to get my hands on people again in May, well maybe June depending on the needs of family and friends. I know if it were up to my family, I would just be 'visiting' not 'working'! A girl's gotta make some money to spend on lavish things that she finds on ebay!

God Bless refunds and my friends and fam!

TAX TIME

Patience.....we must have patience.

Leave it up to the Italian business to test my patience.

Really, what can one person do to get things done in a timely matter? Was it too much to ask back in February, where the heck is my W2.? What about in March (every week) and again in April? Emailing everyone from human resources, CFO and president not good enough. 'It's coming' she says on the 5th of april just doesn't seem good enough when your own government is telling you to get on the ball. Does deadlines mean anything to Italians?....I guess not! UGH!!!

I'm also due to be out of country next week, so getting something on time and in the nick of time may not happen! God I hate this stuff. I just want my refund!