slidergirl

I'm not sure what you are talking about. Straps?? The Allpa has zipper compartments inside, to keep things compressed. The external zipper has always been easy to zip for me.

I've been dealing with winter guests with spinners with "HEAVY" tags on them, too. Just not at a comfortable height for me and heavy to pull at my side.

Wow! That is great news Melody!! Keep it up!

Thing is, why not just get the 2-wheeler? you lose some space for packing when you have 4 wheels. 2 wheels are kind of built into the sides of the bag while the 4 wheels are stuck on the bottom. Maybe an inch deep of extra space in a 2-wheeler - room for goodies!

I did stay at Hotel des Marrionniers last summer. Many will like it but I'm just not used to "old classic" places, I think. It just wasn't my style. I'm more of a modern person. It is in a great location, the staff was very nice, and that garden patio was a nice addition - kind of like a hidden quiet spot. I actually could stay there again if I ended up in Paris for the atmosphere and location alone. I stepped out of my comfort zone this trip and booked mostly little boutique places. I just have to get used to them, as they are usually in better locations than my usual. But, since I'm not getting employee discounts anymore, I have to expand my array of hotels 🙂 Melody - after that drive, I did have a nice, big glass of 19 Crimes Cali Red!

As one who has worked in Hospitality for years and has hauled a variety of luggage around, I will say I HATE spinners with a passion. Hardwood is OK, carpet is a pain, cobblestones are nasty, gaps in tiles in train stations and elsewhere cause the bag to jump, hit your foot and blacken up your nice white sneakers!! I prefer a 2-wheeler if I have to lug. Otherwise, I have my 35L bag/pack (I can carry like a suitcase or put it on my back). I'm 68, so I guess I'm still nimble enough to be able to handle my own bags in planes, trains, automobiles and ships.

My Spring Closet cleaning will be after I finish my winter and do a quick trip somewhere. The cleaning is going to include some of my old dishes (My Dansk are 35 yrs old!!), glasses, water bottles and some other stuff. Last night's drive home was again a 1st gear, 5mph deal down the Mine Rd. Once I got down into town, it was just sloppy messy. Had about 5 inches of snow to blow this morning - it was a little too heavy to shovel. The drive into work was just the opposite of last night: A total mess on the flats from my house into town. Had a van do a major slide in front of me, then a bus decided to risk a wide right turn when I was going through the intersection, got too close to me and I slid myself into the snowy median. Easy to get out of and I'd rather do that then have that bus T-bone me!!! More snow tonight. The road is a mess again. But it's my Friday and I can deal.

Here's fingers crossed that this MD fits the bill for you!!!

I wonder if you "Army Knife" app is the "App Box" app. It has a icon of a Swiss Army knife on it. I've had that one for years and years. I know have App Box Pro now. It has a ton of useful tools in there!

Squirrel is a sweetie. He sits on the crook of my downspout and we "talk". Then, he'll decide to fly to the trees and play around on them. He knows the sound of the sliding door opening now and that means I'll show up and maybe have some sunflower seeds for him. When the snow goes away, I have a picnic table to put out for him. A friend had one for their squirrel and it is so cute!

I sure hope you like the OluKai sneaks. I have 3 pair of OluKai and love them. I watched the first 2 episodes last night after work. I'll call it "light entertainment." He stays in nice places but then has to do some things way outside his comfort zone (which is very small). I saw the ones for Lapland, Finland and Costa Rica. I think the next one up was Venice, but it was time for bed. Levy has a very dry, self-depreciating humor and it is all over the episodes. The next snow is supposed to arrive this evening. It could be interesting - something coming up from Southern California may mix with one coming over from Reno. Not what we want. Oh - a picture of my "Ice jacket" for Veuve. Since no one has left a bottle and I won't buy one, I have put in a $15 bottle of Proseco instead. And, since he's so darn cute, here's this morning's photo of Squirrel.

I forgot to add: If you have Apple +, Eugene Levy (the dad in Schitt's Creek and American Pie) has a show on there that started yesterday, "The Reluctant Traveler". Apparently, he really doesn't like to travel, but was persuaded to do this. It is kind of based on hotels, which he is OK in, but doesn't like the outdoors. Goes to Sweden, South Africa, UTAH!!! (Amangiri resort in the middle of nowhere), Maldives, Costa Rica, Tokyo.

YESSSS! I won the "rock, paper, scissors" for the bottle of Caymus! The boss got the Eyrie Pinot Noir that someone left today. So, we ended up pretty good. The "kids" here got the beer & White Claw and our maintenance guy got some craft beers and the Woodford whiskey. I got the "ice jacket" for a bottle of Veuve Rose that the fancy women left, too. It's worth $60 on it's own. Now, I have a little sleeve to put my bottle of sparkling whatever in when I travel 😹. Didn't leave any Veuve, though. But, the ladies did empty out a bottle of Don Julio 1942 (the $200 bottle). I would have risked a migraine if they had left any of that!!! The snow in So CA is crazy. My friends put up photos of our local Saddleback Mt. down in Orange County with snow down very low. Our next batch of snow starts tomorrow evening. Ugh...

It's good cardio, but not good for the shoulder... Yesterday and today is our break from the storms. Another one comes in tomorrow with maybe 8" more of snow. Poor people in So. CA right now - they are getting pummeled with snow that they haven't seen in decades. That little long weekend in Las Vegas at the end of the season is looking better and better, just for no snow and some warmth!!! At work yesterday, when we were clearing departed rooms of booze, we discovered one of the guests left a really nice Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon - $80-$100 depending on where you look. That bottle is going to be fought over when we divide up the alcohol we've recovered. They can keep all the other wines, the beer, and the White Claw - just give me that bottle!!!! OOTD: jeans, black T, and an "antique" (from 2007) Lucky Brand cardigan. Not sure which shoes yet,

I got my stuff at Our Place.

Ding ding ding! Just saw an ad on my iPhone for a new CNN travel show: Eva Longoria in "Searching for Mexico." Could be interesting. She is a foodie (owns some restaurants) and is Mexican-American from the Texas border. Mexico is on my possible trip list (the Journeywomen site is full of mature women who love to spend time all over Mexico), so I'm definitely looking. Quiet day at work. Only had to snowblow about 2" off the driveway this morning so it wasn't too bad, just manually shoveling the front where the county plow put the nasty stuff. But my shoulder is screaming today from all the work on the driveway the last 2 days. It's a 4-Advil day...

Hit us up for some good food places at the port, Cocoa Beach, Satellite Beach, Melbourne when it's time!

The back piece of the Pehuea Li is kind of like neoprene. So, it made for easy walking. And it was easy on my heels right out of the box. I get blisters easily plus I have some nerve issues, so shoes are hit and miss for me. I think you tried the espadrilles before, right? Yeah, the heel on that is different.

I have an owner at my Lodge who also owns a villa in Tuscany. When she and her DH go over (they just left again), they spend 2 nights at the St. Regis (they are friends with the GM). We were talking restaurants and how I didn't find anything when I stayed at the Westin. She told me they found a place this past summer called "Crazy Pizza". She said they thought it was a tourist joint by the name, but they were surprised that it was a good place. Not excellent, but definitely a place to go to in the area. Good wine list apparently (my owner and DH are major wine lovers). Just putting this out there if you are staying up in the Via Veneto area and want a bite.

Lucky he flew to CO and not UT! For the first time that I can rememeber, SLC had lots of cancellations due to all the snow at the airport - up to 20" overnight on Tuesday into Wednesday.

When I shattered my leg, I was in a cast for 2 months, then a boot for 2 months. Winter. Had a neoprene boot "toe" cover and ice picks on the ends of my crutches. I wish there had been a scooter back then! I finished my driveway today. My nice neighbor was out with his blower and came over and chewed up the really high corners of the driveway. I've got just enough done to get the KIA out. And, the UPS guy just delivered my box of Fiji Water so I guess it's safe enough to walk on, too.

I'm the opposite of you. I look terrible in joggers. I have some, but just not enough to wear all the time. Stella is my favorite. If you want something lightweight and not wool, try on a pair of Vuori Performance Joggers. I ended up sizing down on them to get them to fit not-so-baggy on me. I did a half hour of shoveling my little driveway and I'm halfway done. The snow was mostly mid-calf high, but got up to knee-high on one side. The only saving grace is that the snow isn't heavy, making it easier to shovel. My shoulder hurts right now, so giving it a rest. Watching my squirrel friend playing on my screen door and then jumping around on the snow-covered trees - he is having a great time. Melody - be careful outside! We don't want you falling off the scooter and breaking something! Having to wear a cast/boot/etc, in the Winter is not fun.

Woke up to 20" of snow!!!!! And it is still snowing. When I got home last night, my trash can was on it's side at the entrance to my driveway. I got out of the car to grab it a move it out of the way - I sunk up the the middle of my calves! It's going to be an interesting day.

Hi Anita!! Yeah, the joggers are different than the regular Woolx leggings. I didn't like them, either. But I'm still wearing and liking my leggings. Haven't tried Icebreaker for awhile. the shirts seemed a bit on the small side for my shoulders and boobs. Maybe now that I'm down a couple of sizes they'd work. My Italian villa owner left today and going back to her villa for awhile. I didn't fit in her luggage... She'll be back in April. She brought out a bottle of Brunello Sunday night for wine & cheese. She asked if I wanted a glass - I was so unhappy that I had to decline. Stupid work... Nasty snowstorm! I started early this afternoon and I already have a good 6" in the driveway. The drive home was interesting. Some guy in an old Toyota, definitely NOT 4x4 and no snow tires, was in front, going about 2mph. I swear. At one point, he gave up and just stopped in the lane! Went slowly around him in 1st gear and then got up to about 15mph to the bottom of the hill. 6% downgrade with about 4 inches of snow on the road was not what I wanted. At least I'm home now and have no place to have to be for 2 days. Just shoveling the driveway multiple times and feeding my squirrel friend. Melody - it's coming your way!!!

The "Italian grandmother" thing made me chuckle. I DID have an Italian nanna-in-law. Her handmade cavatelli was out of this world!! I had to keep refining my lowly pomodoro sauce to compete with hers. Today was indeed the day from he!! at work. Just getting everything prepped after people left and HK did their thing was enough. At least everyone came close to our actual check in time so I didn't have to tell people we weren't ready. But, I'm exhausted. A big glass of Cali Red and some sushi and then I'm going to bed. My Italian villa owner did give me a $25 card to my grocery. No reason. Just being nice. I got more jealous when I found out another owner family is going to Italy for the first time this Summer. Sigh,