We said "Ciao" to Italy  and our travel companions this morning and boarded a plane for Belgium.

Italy was fun and we have so many great memories.  I can't wait to download some pictures. 

John asked me what was my favorite part, and honestly I don't know.

Rome was cool and in many ways just "wow".  Venice was magical.  The Dolomites were fun. 

We had one not-so-great hotel room (but it was clean and fairly cheap) but other than that we really lucked out with our stays.

We had some "lick-your-plate-clean" food and some "take-it-or-leave-it" food.

John and I spent the afternoon in Brussels wandering around, doing some window shopping, and doing some actual shopping (for chocolate).

Funny story I have to share before I forget- 

I was picking out some chocolates in one particular store (Every other store in the town center is a chocolate shop) and this girl was telling us how much she loved her job.  Apparently we couldn't pay her enough to take another job. "You could give me 5000 Euros a month and I would not leave zis job."(say it with a French accent) I made a comment that I would be afraid to work there because I'd get too fat.  She replied  "Oh no, zee chocolate is so good, you need only a little bit and you are satisfied".  To which I replied that after eating Belgian chocolate I can't eat American chocolate anymore.  "Oh! I will pay you to keep your American chocolate!  One time I accidentally eat a piece of Hershey's chocolate, and I had spit it out!"

I'm pretty excited (and nervous!) for tomorrow.  I'm taking a train to Paris by all by my little old self to spend about a day and a half.

Poor John has to work. :(

I was right (but what else is new?)

Sometime shortly after getting to know John I discovered he did not like chocolate.

Very Strange Indeed.

It bothered me. HOW could you not like chocolate?

He introduced me to chocolate covered gummy bears. "But that's different." He maintained that the chocolate was somehow different.

He enjoyed the occasional Snicker's bar. Apparently the caramel and the peanuts somehow cancel out the chocolate making it acceptable.

I mean, I understand that some people LOVE it more than other people, the richer the better, can't go a day without some, but to to say you don't like it at all? Personally, I think there's something wrong with their brains.

And still, throughout the years, he has maintained his aversion to chocolate.

Over time, however, I have broken him down. He'd taste this and that... Claim a box of Samoas for his own... and lately I've caught him snitching from my stash of chocolate that he brought back from Europe. (I don't mind, really)

A couple of years ago, I began to form a theory based on my observations- John didn't not like chocolate, he just likes good chocolate.

Then this morning, after I offered him a piece of the Swiss chocolate he brought me back from his last trip to Europe. It even has little bits of chopped nuts mixed in (which he also claims to not like- I'm working on it) He looked at me and said,

"You were right."

(and just cause it bears repeating)

"You were right. I do like chocolate. Just good chocolate. Not that crappy waxy stuff."

Like the little foil wrapped pieces of "chocolate" (I use that term very loosely) you get in your Trick or treat bag. The eyeballs and ghosts and stuff. He didn't even like Hershey's. (Personally I am starting to find it too grainy myself- and once my friend Mindy mentioned that she thinks m&m's tasted like medicine, that ruined m&m's for me too)

(Sidenote, I once had a friend when I was first married who shared a story about when she was so depressed because her husband had been deployed, she drove to the nearest grocery store, bought a 5 pound box of chocolates -for $5, and ate the whole thing. She was so sick it cured her of any chocolate cravings from then on out. She can't think of eating chocolate without getting sick. Of course I am wondering "Why?!?!" Why on Earth would you do that to yourself?!?! Chocolate is to be savored, enjoyed, (in moderation of course). )

Anyway, back to the story. Knowing how his sister enjoys See's chocolates, I wondered if he ever ate See's growing up. "Nope, I figured I wouldn't like it, so I never really ate any." (and I am sure any preconceived notions tainted any exposure to good chocolate he did have)

And so after all this time, John has come to the realization, that yes, "Chocolate is Good."

Choco-crawl

I do believe that chocolate deserves it's own post.

Ever heard of a pub crawl? I don't know from personal experience, but apparently it is a fun evening out where you start at one bar, have a drink or two, some appetizers, then move on to another pub or bar. I'm not sure where the crawling part comes in, but, whatever.

So in Belgium is was able to do my own version of the pub crawl, only instead of drinking, I consumed copious amounts of chocolate.

I exaggerate not when I say that chocolate shops were everywhere in Bruges and Brussels. Sometimes there were two or three stores next to each other, if not only a door or two apart.

John was smart and didn't even grimace when I would walk through door after door after door. (At least that I saw, but then again my attention was focused elsewhere)

Dumon, Galler, Neuhaus, Leonidas, Godiva. (I figured I could get Godiva any time, so I actually didn't even bother stepping in the door-except I hear the factory is worth checking out- apparently they sell their damaged chocolates for pennies.)

I'd pick out a few that looked yummy and then move on. I ate quite a few as we walked around, and took more home to share with the other chocoholics that share my gene pool.

I didn't bother with the chocolate museums though. (I think both Bruges and Brussels each had one) I know, that's practically sacrilege, but I wasn't in the mood. Also, in the past couple weeks I'd been through several museums already- cars, WWI, art, Mozart, even an apothecary museum just to name a few.

One store we didn't make it into (but tried- it was closed) was the Chocolate Line. I hear they are pretty creative with their chocolate concoctions. The things I've heard scare me a little. Tequila...Onion...Cuban cigar...I probably would have tried Cola though.

So clearly my diet took a hit this last month.

It was worth it though, believe me.

On the plus side, Hersheys holds no allure to me any more.

In fact, the other day I found a little corner that one of my kids left behind, so I popped it in my mouth, and gagged.

I think I'm officially a chocolate snob. I think this might be good news for my waistline. (Just not so good for the wallet)

Also on a side note, I now have the beginnings of a vision in my head. A vision of my own shoppe when I grow up. I want to own a candy/bakery store some day. Most of the details are fuzzy, but caramels are definitely involved. Maybe cookies. A big taffy pulling machine in the front window. And now a whole section of imported chocolates.

Things that should catch on in the USA

Nutella-

I realize they've had this in the states for years, I even have a jar in my pantry, but didn't quite get the genius of spreading chocolate on my toast until yesterday morning. It feels a little like cheating- eating chocolate for breakfast without any more guilt than butter or jam or cream cheese on your toast. Starts the morning off right!

Autobahn-style driving-

I was impressed last time, and I'm still impressed. And it's not just the ability to "drive without speed limits" - that's the best part, but it's the whole package. The passing lane is for passing, the slow lane is for the slowest people (semi's, trucks with trailers, etc) and the middle lane(s) are for every one else. You can be in the passing lane as long as nobody is trying to pass you, then you get out of the way, and quickly. It's a beautiful thing.

Which is why I think it won't ever be a reality in the states. Besides no speed limits (but only in certain stretches of freeway- they are sensible about it), there were no idiots going 5 miles under the speed limit in the passing (fast) lane, no cars pulled over to the side of the road for any reason- thereby slowing down traffic so people can gawk, and/or cause more accidents, (they take care of their cars here- I hear you get fined if you run out of gas on the autobahn), etc. I think I've got it boiled down to respect. Respect for the signs that are posted (including speed limits), respect for other drivers on the road, respect for their cars, etc. So when an opportunity comes to tear down the freeway at speeds that will land you in jail in the states, you can take it. And unfortunately it's that respect issue (and probably the truckers unions) that will get in the way of this little fantasy of mine.

- on a side note, John was telling me about some idiots he works with that were over here a month or so ago, and they thought there were no speed limits at all in Germany. So they rented a fast car, and sped all over the country. Rumor has it they were blowing through school zones at speeds of 120 mph or so. 2 weeks after turning in their car, they received a bill from the rental car company saying they owed 1200 in fines, and if they ever showed up in Bavaria again, they'd be arrested on sight.

Catz update week 7

I was worried, but my body finally caught up with all the effort I've been putting in the last 3 weeks, and I lost 5 lbs this week.

5!!!!

I hit not one, but TWO milestones with that number.

I've lost a grand total of 40- I'm at a weight I haven't seen in over 8 years. The last time I saw this number, I found out only days later that I was pregnant with Zach.

And secondly, finally for the first time in at the very least our entire relationship, I weigh less than John. Apparently he's been finding all the weight I have been losing. For the first time EVER, I am not the fat spouse! (Except I am cause he still has at least 4 inches height on me)

And so when he came home from his last trip to Europe, I had to pause for a moment to contemplate the meaning, if any, behind the pile chocolate he brought back. Let me just mention that of the two of us, he is NOT the chocolate lover in the house. (and PS, that is only my share of the king size lion bars. The kids have already confiscated theirs)

Disclaimer: No, I don't actually think John is vindictive or in any way trying to sabotage my weight loss efforts. He just knows my love of real European chocolate and also knew that he wouldn't be allowed in the house after his trip without any. And to prove my point, after his last trip to NYC where he stopped at the Hershey store in Times Square, the kids got this-

And I got these.

Chocolate without the guilt. Ü

3 days

3 days is all I made it before I mindlessly popped a handful of m & m's into my mouth that one of the kids had left on the kitchen table. Wasn't I just saying "If I am going to fail, it's going to be for something better than a handful of some colorful, slightly mediciney flavored candy" ? Aaarrgh!

Okay, okay, three days is easy enough to beat. I can do this. The question is though- when do I officially "start"? After Valentine's day just in case some irresistible chocolate comes my way, or after my first box of thin mints? Decisions, decisions.

PS -I had considered starting Weight Watchers again yesterday because it's about time, my high school reunion is this summer, I would really like to fit into shorts this summer, I now have a babysitting network to drop Christopher off at so I don't have to take him with me anymore, (Christopher is my official excuse for failure last year-he was a nightmare to take, so I quit) etc, etc. But several things came up. For starters, Madison hurt her foot at gymnastics -we were worried it was broken, but haven't taken her to the doctor because she seems to be able to hobble around well enough, so I had to stay home with her. Also John called and he was supposed to be taking some clients out to lunch, but they had to cancel, so he was in need of some "clients" to take to lunch. So now the question comes back- do I start WW after Valentines day, or after a box (or two) of thin mints?

Doomed to Failure

A friend of mine had cut chocolate out of her life awhile back. I thought she was crazy. But slowly the thought ever so sneakily crept into my brain. Last I heard she was on day 33. "I could do that" I thought. Like a contest. Test my resolve. Start racking up those days like points. And if I should slip, I could start over and beat my last score. Like I was playing some obsessive game on the computer. Yeah, that's it. A game. I'm on day two.

Two days is easy, and I'm not even that tempted by the bag of See's chocolates that I had ordered from my kid's school fundraiser thing. Better yet, I know my 1 lb See's gift certificate will still be waiting for me when I am ready. And the m&m's sitting in the gumball dispenser on my counter don't even bother me at all. If I am going to fail, it's going to be for something better than a handful of some colorful, slightly mediciney flavored candy.

And then I got a comment on this blog asking about when the Girl Scout cookies are going to be here. And then it hit me. They will be here in less than a week. I ordered 20 boxes. 10 boxes of thin mints just for me. Seriously? What is wrong with me? The Samoas I can stick in the freezer, because if you try to eat them frozen you will break your teeth, so you have to wait for them to thaw, and the time it takes for them to thaw is about twice as much time needed for me to get my resolve back and stick them back in the freezer to wait for another day. However, those evil little thin mints are a different story. One year I made the mistake of sticking them in the freezer hoping that would deter me. At room temperature I was eating 5 or 6 in a sitting. Frozen I eat a whole tube at a time.

The road to where is paved with good intentions?

Last day in Paris

Our last morning in Paris, we woke up and ran to the Musee d'Orsay. That's another museum across the street from the Louvre. It used to be an old train station, now it is home to famous pieces of art from Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoir, Van Gogh, amongst many others. This picture is of me in between a couple of Monet's works. I'm really not as bored as i look, I am actually happy to be there, it was just one of those things where the camera caught me at the wrong moment. I guess I could have had a stupid look on my face.

We had just a couple minutes and the cafe was calling to me, I couldn't bear the thought of leaving Paris without one last piece of tart, so we stopped and got me a slice of raspberry tart, and some hot chocolate. The cafe was in this neat area right behind one of the big clocks, so the atmosphere was pretty cool, plus the food was fabulous, and the hot chocolate was downright sinful. It was like drinking a melted down bar of dark chocolate. John felt the need to take a picture of me because i was enjoying it all so much. I am including a picture where I am making a stupid face just for fun.

Just outside the cafe you can go out onto a patio and look over the city. There was another American couple there and we took turns taking pictures of each other with each other's cameras.
We had to leave immediately after this, pick up our luggage and catch a taxi to the trainstation. We thought we would need to get there early so they could check John for bombs again, but I guess not. They didn't have any security check points here. Interesting. I enjoyed Paris a lot more than I thought I would. Honestly I didn't have high expectations. The people were nice and friendly, the food was amazing, and there was a lot of really neat stuff to see. Maybe I just had so much fun on my Segway tour that it tainted the whole trip, but I had a good time there.

16 years

So the other day I was at the gym. I try to go to the gym every day, that's the goal anyway, but I only average 2-3 times a week. I should do more weights, but I tend to just do an hour or so of cardio and call it good. My favorite is the elliptical, but I can mix it up with the bike and/or treadmill. I avoid the stair master at all costs, nothing feels more pathetic than quitting after 5 minutes.

So there I am on my favorite elliptical, one that doesn't have a good view of myself in a mirror, and although I had my headphones in and was listening to some of my favorite gym music, I couldn't help but let the thoughts in my brain run their random course during that hour. One thing that struck me was that I have belonged to a gym for 16 years. There might have been a month or two that I haven't been paying some company money so that I can exercise, but I have been a gym member of various gyms since I was 16 years old. (If anyone is paying attention that is exactly HALF my life.)

I have my mom to thank for that. She made me sign up with her when I was 16. I was a little resentful for awhile, (excercise?!?! huh???) But I LIKE going to the gym now. (you'd think I'd do it more often?)

So anyways, I started wondering, if I have belonged to a gym for half my life, why don't I look like it? (and this is the point where I started outlining a blog post in my head- with an hour to kill what else are you gonna do?)

Why don't I look like a 32 year old version of this?

That flat stomach makes me want to cry. One of the reasons I don't look like that anymore is that I had to do this four times-

If we're being honest here, that big ol' belly kept me home from the gym for like a year each time. First there's the sickness, and the exhaustion (and I know exercise was supposed to help with that, but I never got around to testing that- I was too tired), and then there's that whole my-baby-is-a-preemie-and-I-don't-want-to-expose-him-to-all-those-other-germy-kids, and let's not forget my-kid-hates-the-gym-so-what-is-the-point-of-getting-myself-there-when-I-know-they-are-gonna-make-me-leave-after-5-minutes-cause-my-kid-screamed-until-he-puked? But if we are gonna be really honest here, I should probably be pointing the finger at something like this-

Or this-

And let's not forget-
And just to make my point that I think I have a problem-And then just because I think my walk-man was making fun of me, Beck's -Loser started playing. I laughed.

Brownies

In keeping with my "if I want to eat it, I have to make it" rule, I decided to make brownies for dessert last night. They weren't from scratch or anything, they were from a box which feels like cheating, but they were on sale the other day so I picked up a couple boxes, and besides I didn't specify in the rules whether or not they had to be "from scratch". I'll think on that. I did however sprinkle Heath toffee bits on the top. Those little bits o' heaven are one of my favorite things to bake with these days, but I can only find them at Wal-Mart. It was actually a spur of the moment decision so I actually took the brownies out of the oven, sprinkled about half the package on the top, then stuck it back in. I think next time I might just mix up the whole package in the batter.

So you might be wondering what happened to the edges. I confess, that was me. That's one of my "things". I love the edges. They are irresistible to me. They call to me. After I sent the kids to bed, I snuck back into the kitchen and ate all the edges. Wrong on so many levels, I know. For starters, I know better than to be eating brownies at 9:00 at night. And 10:00. And 11:00. (I tried to control myself, but I was lacking in the will-power department last night). Also, I waited until they were in bed, because I was afraid I would have to share. Afraid that they might figure out that are missing out on the best part. And I am totally un-apologetic in my edge eating. This morning Nick pointed it out that "somebody ate all the edges last night" I told him it was the brownie fairies. I don't think he believed me.

Random New York Ramblings Part 2

Apparently I had more to say than I thought. Can you tell I had fun? It was such a huge place with so much to do and see. Here's me at Rockefeller Center. I really wanted to go ice-skating, but we were totally pressed for time. And I had a massive blister on my foot I was doing my best to ignore. I wore my walking shoes, but I don't think they were up to the task. sigh. Next time. Shopping was fun. We of course went to the big FAO Schwartz store. That's where the big piano from the move Big is. And no I didn't play on it. There was a line comprised totally of little kids and they'd let like 3 or 4 stomp around on it at a time. It was pretty obviously not a grown up thing to do. Then some of the workers would do the whole duet scene from Big, you know the one where Tom Hanks and his boss play chopsticks. It must be harder than the movie makes it look. Glad I didn't attempt it. Not that I can even play chopsticks on a regular piano. I can do a pretty terrible rendition of "Happy Birthday" however. They had a little Harry Potter store inside so we got Nick his very own Gryffindor tie. He thought that was pretty cool.

For Madison we went to American Girl Place to get her present. She loves American girl dolls. (she has three already)What a zoo! That place was crazy. It was like three stories and packed with little girls and their overwhelmed parents. They even had a doll boutique were you could get your doll's hair done. Starting prices were like $20 and the wait was 2 1/2 hours, unless you had a reservation. Are you kidding me? Madison was like (picture hands on hips, full attitude)"You better believe we'll be getting my doll's hair done if I ever get to go." I'm choosing to believe she said "doll's hair" (singular) as opposed to "dolls' hair" (plural).

The Toys R Us is so big, they have a Ferris wheel inside. We just got Zach some Cars building blocks. I'm sure you could get them at any Toys R Us, Target, or Wal-Mart, but we just didn't know what the dickens to get the kid. We didn't think he'd get that thrilled over a t-shirt or anything.

So here's a funny story. In Times Square they have this whole Hershey's store. Everything Hershey. Even bubble bath. Being the chocoholic that I am it was a matter of principle that we went in. I picked up a little white teddy bear dressed as the Statue of Liberty and it had a little bag of Hershey's kisses with it for Christopher. I also picked up a tin of kisses for the kids to share. All the little tags on the kisses said a bunch of different things like "i love you" or "thank you" among others. For myself I also picked out a half pound Hershey bar. It said "Times Square" right under the word "HERSHEY'S". Believe it or not I just planned to keep it. I am a chocoholic, however unless the situation becomes desperate, I have more refined tastes when it comes to chocolate. (I found a really good little chocolate store near the skating rink at Rockefeller Center. I got like 7-8 small pieces, and nearly choked when it came to $16. I neglected to notice that they were charging $75 a pound. John noticed. He didn't pick out anything for himself.) So remember I planned to keep the bar just because? (who knows how long it really would have lasted, I think it would have driven the kids nuts to have chocolate you can't eat-they are my children afterall). I just finished showing the kids the spoils of my trip and handed out their presents when I turned my back just long enough to let Christopher rip the wrapper into like 3 pieces. I snatched it away and carefully taped it back together and put it somewhere where I thought was safe. The next day I was sitting right here checking my e-mail, etc. and Christopher comes waltzing out of my bedroom, totally casual-like.See all the little nibble marks? It's as big as he is. Can't say I blame him though. He is my child after all. I still have the wrapper, but it will probably be in the trash by the end of the week.
At one point we stepped out of the subway and it was like being in another country without realizing you had even left. I still haven't been able to figure out what was going on, but we literally found ourselves right in the middle of a parade. A small parade as parades go, but still. There were the Chinese dragons (three that we saw) guys playing drums, and a procession of flags. The dragons would stop at each of the shops and go inside. Some of the shop owners were hanging produce outside their shops as well. (totally couldn't figure that one out) I thought maybe it was a Chinese New Year celebration, but this was on the 17th, and according to the internet (I checked my facts on this one) Chinese New Year started the 7th and ended the 15th. So who knows? It was still pretty cool. Then you turned the corner and suddenly you are in Italy. Well, Little Italy is not quite like being in Italy but they had really good pizza and cannolis. Another place we liked to eat was this diner down the street from our hotel. The Stardust? I think? All the wait staff are Broadway hopefulls and they take turns perfoming while you eat (and sometimes while they are serving at the same time)
That's our waiter doing a duet just before we left. We made sure to stick around until he sang. Make him really earn his tip. That place always has a line, but we happened to show up at a slow time. (10 minutes before they quit serving breakfast)We somehow managed to stay on Mountain Standard time, so we slept in and just stayed up really late. Here's just some random pictures I found amusing or interesting or whatever.
Even the Police Department in Times Square has flashing Neon Lights. I just found the name of the bank amusing. If only we had more time. That's Macy's. The red sign is advertising this particular one as the "World's Largest Store". I'm sure if I had three weeks I still wouldn't have been able to do everything. I guess I'll just have to go back! (although I doubt if I will be forgiven as easily if I leave the kids home a second time) THE END.