On this same cooperative, in the olive oil making rooms, was this old picture. This is how they used to power their grinding stone. 

This is part of the cold-press olive oil making process. Do I remember exactly what this thing does? No. 

And now we are in Sorrento, Italy (well, near it). This is a shot up into the olive trees on a farm/cooperative. 

Last photo from Rome. This is a cool, stained-glass chair... thing. :) 

Another shot inside the Vatican Museum. See how this hall just goes on and on...? 

Well, I had quite an adventure today. I went to a new client's house to meet them and the animals and all that good stuff. A standard Meet 'n' Greet. The lady was a few minutes late arriving, which was no big deal. I just unlocked my car and sat in the passenger seat and amused myself until she showed up. Then we went inside and took care of all the business and everything went great.

I was about to leave and started looking for my car keys... and I couldn't find them. I suddenly had a very bad feeling that I'd left them in the car when I was waiting there. We went out and checked and, sure enough, there they were on the passenger side seat. And the doors were locked. Thankfully this lady was very nice and helped me get someone out there to save me. [sigh] It really is funny. :)

This was yet another ceiling painting. There was something to look at in every direction in this place! 

This whole room was devoted to art relating to Mary. I'm pretty sure this thing in the middle is covered in gold. 

This creepy thing is supposed to be an actor wearing a mask. Mostly just looks creepy to me. 

This photo was taken from a window in the museum. I just thought it was a pretty view. 

This is a close up of a tapestry (in the vatican museum). The guy, if you were wondering, is Jesus. 

Hmmm... I think it's been a few days since I posted. If I could just post with my mind instead of using the computer, I'd do it all the time! I'm in full swing with buying Christmas gifts and making my lists for all the various family members who request them. This may not come as a surprise to some of you, but I get seriously stressed out over making lists for people.

Somehow, when it comes time to do it, I can never think of things that I really want. When I do give them some ideas, I'm always thinking in the back of my mind that there's bound to be something better than I'm just not thinking of. Plus, I like to be surprised. Anyway, I think I'm doing better this year. I'm putting people off when they first ask and then getting back to them after I've had an inspiration.

This is just a cool urn. Don't remember anything about it though... 

More mangled statues. There were *so* many! 

This is a statue with a broken penis in the Vatican Museum. One of many... 

This is inside the courtyard at Vatican City. We think one of those little guys up there is the Pope, but we don't know which one. 

This is the final photo from Florence. This is the giant train station. 

Not much to report today. I was just reading a story in Voice of the Martyrs (a free magazine i receive) that was very sad. :( These people who are suffering for their faith (or for their race or their ethnic group) understand so much better than I what it means to rely on the the hope and power of God! *sigh*

There is still some kind of nasty stomach virus travelling around Austin. Our small group last night was cancelled because one of the hosts got it. She was running for the bathroom and ended up throwing up in her kitchen floor - poor thing! Once again I must state, I am not leaving my house (or having anyone else in it) until everyone I know has been well for a week!

And now I have to go take my e-scrabble turn... :o)~

I'm officially Redpeeler again. And these photos prove that I need a hobby. :) 

This is my hair on Monday evening. It's a different color! 

Again, me. Notice the color of my hair (normal). 

Me. This is my hair on Saturday. 

My silly husband on a horse swing. This was taken in Orange, TX (at his brother's house). 

I just gave Doug a thorough thrashing at Yatzee. I beat him two out of three games, but that's not the bad part. My score on our last game was 516! I got two bonus yatzees! I had the highest score of the three games even without the extra 200 points! Hahahahaha! Of course, he then beat me two out of three at Pass the Pigs, but we don't need to talk about that. Just remember 516 points...

We recently paid off my car loan. Ahhh... No more student loans. No more car loan. Only the mortgage now. It was very fun to get my title in the mail. Of course, it says that the car belongs to Angela D. Priddy who lives on Chevy Chase Dr., but no matter. The point is that they don't get any more of our money! So there!

And furthermore, kitties are cute.

This, obviously, is a ceiling. This is a covered walkway outside the building of Santa Croce. 

This is a just a general shot of the inside of Santa Croce. Lots of people and tombs and paintings. 

This is another painting at Santa Croce. The photo's a little blurry, but I still thought it was cool. 

This is the tomb of Machiavelli at Santa Croce. He's not actually in the coffin looking thing though - he's under the floor. 

This is the pulpit inside Santa Croce. It looks a little odd because there's temporary scaffolding on and around it. 

Hello everyone! Sorry it's been so long since I posted anything. I got burned (burnt?) out on talking about the trip. So, I'm not going to talk about the trip anymore. I will still post a few photos a day for a while. They can speak for themselves. :)

Things have also been kind of crazy around here lately. There's been a lot of out of the ordinary stuff going on (nothing monumental, just stuff) and the time has been flying by. Maybe I've just been preoccupied - I don't know. Anyway, I hope things get back to normal soon.

This weekend's out of the ordinary stuff was going to Orange, TX for Doug's brother's birthday party.