Italy

Oh my.  Italy was so amazing.  I know you have both been there, but going as an adult is just incredible.  We were in Rome, Florence and Venice - traveling between the cities by train.  I don't suppose I can possibly describe all the sights I saw.  We mostly did walking tours of the city, the churches and the museums, using private guides so we could ask all the questions we wanted.  We were so lucky to get great guides who were very knowledgeable.  There wasn't a single question they didn't know the answer to!!  My friend made sure the trip was first class, which was wonderful.  I have a feeling it may be the last really big trip I will ever make.  They aren't something I can afford on my own.  But who knows - maybe an inexpensive flight to Paris or Athens, stay at a pensione, or bed n breakfast somewhere and just take in the sights.  I could spend an entire day just in the Louvre museum.

Everything from the Highland Avenue house has been moved to New Jersey, the city of Glen Ridge.  I am living in New York with my friend, and going to Glen Ridge on weekends to start sorting, storing, and putting things away.  I must leave room for all of his stuff too - so I have thrown out, given away, or donated to charity an awful lot of stuff.  I sold all my tools and machines, my lawn furniture, dishes, glasses, pots n' pans, camping goods (yes, I had a tent, sleeping bags, and camp cots!).  I left my bed at Highland Avenue as I needed a new one anyway.  We will get one that suits us both I suspect, as I don't care much for his either!

I invested the money from the sale and am much closer to reaching my goal of being able to stop working sometime in the next couple of years.  I have so much I want to do.

I love you both very much my dearest ones.

Grandma Nici