Italian Chimneys

Hello there.  I am in Oakland, receiving email photos from Manuele on the progress of our apartment in Umbertide.  The chimney in the family room is being opened up so it will be big enough to cook bruschetta and be warm while we watch tv.  It is quite a production.

I wonder if Santa could get down this chimney?

It is going to be beautiful one day.  Manuele has had major problems with his back and has gone to the doctor for cortisone shots.  Ugh.  He said it was horrible.  He has 3 slipped disks, and he is only 37.  Not good.

On the good news front, our friend Joseph and Paul finally sold their house in Mill Valley. Yeah! It looks like everything will be coming together for the final move to Umbertide some time this spring.

Yesterday the Stoic One and I went to K-Mart (a discount department store).  We went to the lay away department and randomly paid off 2 people's lay aways.  Our only criteria was that the items in the lay away needed to be children's toys.  We found two great looking accounts, that were steadily paying but had not made their final payment.  They will be very happy to get the call that their account was paid!

We are off to southern California for Christmas.  I hope that all of you have a very Happy Holiday and a very prosperous new year!