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I realize it is only 2:30 AM east coast time, and not even the 25th at my house in CA, but here in Budapest, it's already 8:30 AM. We've been sitting at the airport for over an hour already. All checked in, through security in under 5 minutes, a nice walk through what looks like an upscale shopping mall upon entering the main terminal, and to the gate.

I spent a good chunk of time on the phone with Viking last night booking our Italian cruise. We will be on a small ocean ship with a capacity of 930 passengers. We decided to spend an additional 3 full days in Rome prior to embarking on the cruise. That way Ron will get a full day to explore Vatican City. I'm more interested in the Roman ruins and ancient history, but I do think it'll be a treat to have a private tour of the Sistine Chapel, which is included in the extension we added on. It is, again, a ridiculously expensive vacation, but I have no regrets about the vacation just ending, so I'm sure it will be money well spent. We also got some great perks for booking while on board the current ship, too. I booked BFF, too. After chatting with him this morning, I'm pretty sure he won't go, but I wanted to give him an opportunity to consider. If he decides to opt out, I forfeit only a $25 deposit. Win, win, IMO!

The last two nights were quite fitful - complete with weird dreams - including a dog napping by a purebred dog ring out of Russia...You'll be happy to know, I recovered my three abducted Airedales! LOL! I think that was a clear sign that I'm ready to get home and see my pups.

I'm guessing about 22 hour travel day, door to door. Hopefully, there will be some nice sleep involved between Zurich and San Francisco!

Wonderful Wednesday to all!!!!

Greetings all

A mixed day of sun and fog. Started the day with Scrabble and won two of three but lost to the Shark. Oh well. Next was meeting up with the new gallery treasurer to get her on the account at the bank. I brought her all this stuff to enable her to take over the deposits but she then decided she wanted me to still do them. Oh well. I will. I think she is a person who is focused on tiny details as she said she could not understand the cash deposits unless she did them herself. So I will add some additional info on each ticket. I am kind of glad to keep doing it as I think it would wear her out because she lives much further away from the place and has other chores. Plus if I was out of the finance job it means I would get assigned some other task I might hate; ie kitchen duty for our events.

Liz those lobsters are giant! Looks like a great dinner. By all means get J a little walk in.

Paula hope you got some good garden photos. The rhododendrons and azaleas are about finished here but everything else is coming on strong.

Peps I was wondering if you encountered any anti American sentiment on your trip. Looks like the Louvre closed and people in Spain were protesting tourists. Glad it has been a good trip for you all and that you will be home soon to begin the serious business of being retired.

Not much else. I stopped in the studio for a bit but did not get much done. I must begin serious prepping for my house guest soon.

Diane S

Hectic day in Budapest! Last day tours... PACKING! We have to leave at Oh dark thirty... Actually not too bad... 6:30 am is when we leave the boat to drive to the airport. Departure time is 9:30 am. Arrive in San Francisco at 4:45 pm. Isn't it nice? Just shy of 7 hours to get home.... LOL! But, I do feel like I get the day back that I lost flying to Europe.

See y'all on the other side.

Safe travels Liz.

BTW - no big hullabaloo about the US/Iran/Israel "conflict" over in this part of the world. As best I can tell, most of Europe views us as uncouth, self important, and historically illiterate. They don't care too much either way about the tourists as long as we're spending our dollars here.

I did! I halved this recipe: https://www.wholekitchensink.com/how-to-make-easy-homemade-t zatziki-sauce/#tasty-recipes-13796-jump-target

It would be nice if Kirby did when it's hot, because he doesn't like the heat...

Those meatballs look yummy! Did you make tzatziki sauce too?

Now that Kirby has taken the first step (literally), maybe he will try going fully in (or maybe not)? Justice didn't used to like even getting his feet wet on the beach but now he likes walking at low tide and going through the puddles. No way would he go any deeper though.