Mostar!

As One informed you, last week Five, Momo, Brother Z, Astro boy and I went on a little jaunty around Croatia and Slovenia. On our way to the dreamy place they call Dubrovnik, Astro boy (who was our fearless driver/navigator/the only sane person in the car) took us on a little detour out of Croatia into Bosnia and Herzegovina. We visited Mostar--a city which was destroyed about 20 years ago during the Bosnian War. They haven't rebuilt everything yet--but the old bridge, which after the war was left in the water, has been restored to its former glory--and it was gorgeous!

Pink Pony

 Meet Pink Pony

He's just being shy...

There he is!

 Pink Pony has a message on equality

He doesn't think it should matter who you love 

 or who loves you

 If you're not hurting anyone, we should just let you be.

 Because life is filled with music

 and magic

 and things that need a second look

 So don't focus on the poopy things

 have an adventure!

 Make new friends!

And never forget to dream!

May I please have a few more hours in this day?

Unfortunately, for the first time in a long time, Mr. One has been sucked into a long-term client project far, far away.  This doth not please me.  But I really can't complain.  Of all the terrible places to which he could have been sucked, he's landed in Denver!  Jackpot, right?  The prospect of spending six months playing a week-day single parent and then periodically dragging the kids cross-country to see their overworked Daddy is *much* more appealing if it also includes lots of fresh mountain air, family, old friends, zero humidity, weekend roadtrips, real paletas and a genuine Rocky Mountain High.  We're taking off this week for an inaugural (relatively quick) visit.  Which makes me very happy. (Ironically, Mr. One is flying solo chez Momo, since everyone else is in Hungary!)  Alas, too many errands, not enough time, and, I fear, not nearly enough sleep, separate me from that quasi-final destination.  But I know it will be wonderful once we get there...  Wish us luck!!

A very special guest blogger....

Four and Five are off the grid, roughing it somewhere fabulous on the Dalmatian coast.  Poor dears.  In their absence, Tiny volunteered to take over for the day.  Enjoy!

I'm Sailing Away

Last Friday, Dr. P finished his third year of medical school. Now, I fully acknowledge that I have not suffered as a real med student suffers, but dog-gone-it being the lady friend of a med student for three years is no walk in the park either.  Every year it's bad, and every year the next one is supposed to better, and yet it just gets worse and worse.  It's like being adrift in a stormy sea with no land or smooth waters in sight.  Because as any med student will tell you, the only thing more terrifying than mean attendings/residents, is the thought of being a real doctor and having people's lives in your hands.  

But, for two weeks Dr. P (and I) have found a break in the storm.  The sun has come through and we're just... hanging out. Without studying. Or worrying about the lack of studying. It. Is. Awesome.

And so I think it was symbolic, that we spent part of this tiny slice of our lives adrift in the Annapolis port, without reason, without worries, and without wind.  

But we did have pretty sweet company, and a kick-a picnic if I do say so!

Hoist!

Sea-Spider!

tres glam

Our Commander!

This is where we stow the bodies...

Mea Culpe

Since One's second post was about our shared outing, when I was delayed in posing, I just didn't do it.  Mea culpe.  I promise to be better next week. 

Bright College Years...

Since I already threw caution to the wind and posted a picture of Two in a wedding dress this afternoon, I'm just going to go for broke and share all sorts of crazy news that isn't mine! 

I am literally bursting with excitement for my little sisters, Four and Five.  And not just because they're road-tripping through Croatia at this very moment (and we all know I think a good Croatian roadtrip is pretty close to Heaven).  No, today I am over the moon because BOTH these lovely ladies got into and decided to matriculate at my very own alma mater!  I've been just buzzing ever since I got the news.  I think I might be even more excited about it than they are.  College was such a formative time in my life; I made so many decisions about the person I am now, (the very best of which was to spend an awful lot of time with a certain witty Republican from Utah).  I'm feeling weirdly emotional about it today -- Looking at those adorable pictures of the Princess, it struck me that she is just one year younger than my baby sister was when I went away to Yale.  And that really doesn't seem like it was that long ago.  And now she's going there herself.  And then I watched this ridiculously nerdy video.  And started crying like a baby.  Because I'm SO HAPPY.  And grateful.  And old...



If you're not in the mood for 17 minutes of cheesy, musical, Ivy League propaganda, here is a slightly shorter (but equally cheesy and musical) video thrown together by a couple of Yalies.  That also made me cry....

They grow up so fast....

Guess who tried on wedding dresses this weekend? 



Do these two have style, or what?

En route to the bridal salon, the Princess let me know that she could deliver perfect behavior -- if I could deliver a 3" cheese-and-pickle sub.  Sounds fair, right? 

Though she was technically there to offer moral support and style advice, Princess H fell in love with this veil and belt...  and everyone in the salon, in turn, fell in love with her!

I think I might pull this one out for the reception slide show when Princess H gets married.  In about 30 years....

I'm hoping Two doesn't kill me for posting this one!  She didn't love this dress, so I'm not giving anything away...

Thanks, girls, for a lovely afternoon!!

What to Buy in Hungary

Four and Five are in Budapest!  They flew in yesterday, and I have a hunch they're sleeping right now, so I'm hijacking the blog to offer a little unsolicited advice.... 

Now, my baby sisters are a) passionate about their heritage, and, b) ninja shoppers.  But I've got >10 years' experience on them.  And fancier credit cards. And, apparently, an excuse to share some more picture from our trip this Spring....

Don't forget to pace yourself --  I'd hate for you to wind up in the middle of Central Europe's most fabulous mall (designed by our very favorite Imi Bacsi!), with no energy left for shopping!

If you happen to pop over to Austria, I vote YES to this

...and this

...and this.

...But would probably would pass on this stuff.

The Sardines' Revenge

Behold the Sardine

If you haven't tried these little guys, I suggest you do.  They. Are. Delicious. I could eat them on practically anything.  Try them on toast, flaked into salad or pasta.  They make an excellent addition to tomato-based soups, and add a salty "ka-POW" to humble vegetable dishes.  After 15 years of adherring (heh heh) to a strict vegetarian diet, these guppies make me really glad I started eating fish.

But this is not about what I get from water-logged winners, it's what I have given back to my fishy-friends. And while on most days what I would point out is that I rarely indulge in them--and honestly, that's kind of adding insult to injury, "I only EAT you sometimes"--last Saturday I spent 20 minutes in their shoes (water?).  

With One and Two by my side, we the eaters, became the eaten. And while I think it's only fair to say we enjoyed being eaten more than fishies do, it was one wild ride.