Alarm at 6:30.....am!!!! Why? Because I got one more opportunity to walk with my friend Cathy, wife of the pastor of Rome Baptist Church. Can't tell you what a cool chick she is! We hauled our fannies around Roma, and ended up at her favorite coffee spot....near the cat sanctuary, for all of you who know Roma well. So, two cappuccinos and 2 crostinis (these particular ones were whole wheat croissants filled with honey....warm out of the over....serious heaven!). We sat down, made a joke about the only thing that would make the moment better would be candlelight....and what happened? Power failure. The whole block! And out comes of of the barristias with candles for our tables. We were howling with laughter, and wondering why we didn't wish for piles of gold coins to rain down on us. Such a memorable moment. Anyway, sweet Cathy took the opportunity to pray over me once more, and we had a grand morning. On our way back to her piazza, we ran through a couple of churches I had not been inside, and marvelled at the interiors....just amazing the splendor of each and every church!!!!

Home to begin packing.

So, why is it that stuff seems bigger when you are going home than when you came....oh...could it be the one or two or twenty new Italian goodies I picked up during my month (did you REALLY think I would not be coming home with some fabulous fashions?????). I did draw the line at shoes. No shoes. Or boots. So there. I do have some semblance of self-control, however undetectable it may be.... :)

Hugs to all of you!!! Can't wait for guacamole.....Whataburger....margaritas....babies...family...friends....nothing better than what's waiting for me in Big-D.

And, if you were worried that I had become too Italian-ized to hang with, I did locate the Dollar Store in Roma. Yes, sir I did! Dad....you can come back to Roma and rest assured that you can buy yucky candy and batteries for a dollar...or a euro....whatever.

Baci!!!