April 12, 2012

• Today was magical; we have turned a corner and laughed and laughed. I love them so much. 
• I burned my finger cooking calamari and went to the farmacia.  They are so wonderful and gave me a creme that smells heavenly-medicinal. 
• Today I really noticed that I am having some serious Spanish-English issues. Esparagus? Portero? WTF?
• Today I went to the market and bought fresh calamari, strawberries, asparagus, bread and raisins. We eat like kings. We decided that we really are kings. 
• Last night Hugo talked in his sleep- IN SPANISH.
• Today Atticus told people “Adiós.” Over and over again.
• Today we stopped and talked to people in the street out of recognition.  I also look forward to greeting the old man in true yellow pants who sits on the bench on Sánchez Barcaiztegui every day. He kicks hass.
• The boys went to bed at 10:15 and it was so normal.
• Atticus thinks that he gets to take the high-speed train to Valencia if he speaks a lot of Spanish this week.  I thought of this incentive after I had already bought the tickets.
• I have yet to write about our amazing weekend in Las Cabras with our incredible friends and am itchy to do so.
• Speaking of itchy, I have six flea bites that are purple and swollen. Sooo sexy.
• Speaking of sexy, I saw a couple fully making out in the street.  And I miss my husband.
• Which reminds me.... Today was the second day that I walked without pain!!!  This is H.U.G.E.!!!!  I plan on continuing my recuperation.  Plantar fasciitis is mean.  Thank you, Jason for the foot massage; I really think this was the turning point! 
• I may have gained a few maybe 10 pounds due to my foot injury and total inability to be physically active over the last 2 months.  BUT I am convinced that I will stronger and more capable in the end!!!  I will NEVER look at someone who is physically inactive in the same way again!
• The Parque de Retiro is incredible and I am so grateful that it is five minutes away.  What a gift!!!
• Comte cheese is to die for.
• It turns out it was pretty amazing that we found a school with 2 vacancies mid-way through the year and adjacent to our friends’ house.  I love that school and could not have chosen better personalities for our children’s teachers.
• I had a “ladies coffee” today and remembered what it was like to be 19. Almost. I’m not sure I really ever was 19. Maybe when I was 10. 
• I love our hot shower. Even if the bathroom stinks like sewer until you plug all the drains and your nose.
• I have 7 “decorations” on our living room wall: 1. our goals  2. the boys’ allowance chart 3. In Our Family We...., 4. a chart describing Hugo’s positive traits, 5. a chart describing Atticus’s positive qualities, 6. A LEGO Ninjago poster. 7. an Easter card from my mom. 
• Our bookshelf, the only other furniture besides our couch, table, chairs and TV/Lego stand leans to one side and holds EVERYTHING we need here that isn’t piled on the table.
• Our doorman dresses in a suit every day from about 5:30 until 7:30. He changes clothing at least four times per day.
• I will miss snuggling with Hugo all night long.
• Our dinnerware is blue glass and I will miss it, too. 
• If your dog barks or growls and you do not guide him to be social, you are rewarding his behavior, for crying out loud. 
• They turned the heat back on, Thank God.
• People are the same ALL over the world.