Crazy European Road Trip with the parents part FOUR!!! Stay tuned ……
Author: GOING NINETY MILES
Hola and welcome to GOING NINETY MILES. Enjoy learning about amazing places to visit, good restaurants, seeing cool photos and more awesomeness.
Fact Follows Fiction
Did you hear?! Jack Wagner and Heather Locklear are engaged! In real time!
Quick! What was the very last scene from the very last episode of Melrose Place? If you followed Beverly Hills 90210, then you followed Melrose Place, and then possibly Models Inc. Which I loved too! Why did they stop after one episode? Possibly I had a bit of an addiction to those shows….. but I remember going over to Andi’s house, we would order up some pizza, sparked up a, well, anyways…. those shows rocked.
Are you now picturing Micheal Mancini and poor Jane in your head? Or Dr. Peter Burns and Amanda Woodward, partners in crime and furthermore, partners forever? Let me bring you a quick recap:
Amanda and Peter faced mounting scrutiny as he was investigated for stealing money from the hospital and she was faced with the revelation that Eve didn’t kill her boyfriend 15 years ago, Amanda actually did. They decided to flee the country and fans were shocked when their hide-out exploded, killing them both. Eve, who had been showing signs of going crazy, finally cracked at their memorial service by throwing Peter’s ashes on Lexi. Eve then found herself back in jail. Michael became Wilshire Hospital’s chief-of-staff. Kyle and Jane found out she was having Michael’s baby, and an anonymous envelope shows up with Amanda’s locket inside. Amanda and Peter are then wed on a tropical beach, and rejoice in their success at faking their own deaths and paying Michael $1 million to cover it up. In the closing shot Amanda and Peter walk together on the beach to the song, “Closing Time”.
And for our last memory of MP. May I bring you the opening theme with jake … kimberley….sidney….amanda….billy …. allison
.
Congratulations Amanda and Peter Heather and Jack! May it last longer than Melrose did. Cheers!
Growler and FIV
I haven’t posted about this yet because my heart was too heavy. But in January my cat Growler (aka cooooolest cat ever) was diagnosed with FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus). It was so very hard to hear this from my vet. But a blood test revealed the facts, and a later blood test from a Barcelona clinic reconfirmed the sad fact.
I have done a lot of research and I read that FIV does not mean a death sentence but it is a debilitating disease nonetheless. We have been fighting several infections – upper respiratory infection, ear infection, bone infection. And he has always beaten them but then to turn around with something new making him feel bleh with a fever and no appetite. Can I tell you how much this breaks my heart? I have cried several times about my sweet Growler.
Six years ago random mama cat brought us seven babies.
They hung out. Followed mama around everywhere.
And out of those seven, four survived. Growler, Holmes, P Diddy and Cow.
And never in my life have I had a cat. Actually I was VERY allergic to cats. But once we were blessed with those kitties, I have never had a reaction to cats ever again. Along the years we have gained two more cats, LD (which stands for Little Dude, but she is now the fattest cat ever) and Eva (the terrorista). Thankfully none of the others have FIV – which makes me think Growler contracted FIV from a cat bite he got a few years ago.
A week ago we changed his medicine to Prednisolone and antibiotics to treat a strange limp he has had for a long time now and we haven’t been able to cure. And it is working!! I haven’t seen him back to his normal Growler man self until now. Keep positive thoughts going for my sweet cat. He says, rawrr meowwww, which means thank you.
I Think I’m In Love
My latest obsession. ALLIOLI.
It is pronounced a – ee – olee and it is DEEEEELISH. Also seen here in Spain as aioli. It is a garlic mayonnaise dip frequently used here in the restaurants and a friend invited me to dinner the other night where this lovely dip was sitting on her table. And she bought it at the store! I immediately went to buy it the next day. It is perfect for potatoes, bread, grilled meat, rice – really anything. Maybe I throw a dollop on top of my cereal today.
Quick Trip (not the convenience store)
HOWDY!! Back from the USA. It was fast but fun (as always) trip. Here is a quick rundown of time spent.
Day one: Hung out in Brooklyn with the cool Hauser family. Time was spent watching 4-year-old boys run around kicking a soccer ball, visiting the Brooklyn Public Library and catching up with good friends.
Day Two: With the adult Hausers, we went to a beer garden (why do I feel like that should always be spelled german style – biergarten) under High Line Park. I believe it was called The Standard Beer Garden (biergarten). I was reminded of going to Spanish concerts where you have to buy your drink tickets at one booth and get your beverages at another. At least the food carts you could go straight up and order. Beer was good! Dumplings were yummy! Friend’s company even better. And out of NOWHERE comes a bit of rain, which I was laughing at people getting out of the way but then came a squall and we were pelted with rain, wind and dust for 20 minutes. Mr. Hauser braved the storm to get more drink tickets while we all huddled under the one space that was covered. And the DJ just kept playing on …….
Day Three: Off to Milwaukee! I flew AirTran, decent service, friendly flight attendants. I ordered a beer and was never asked to pay! Sweet. My family met me at the airport and we headed back to my aunt’s house in Grafton, WI. Born in Wisconsin and lived there for 10 years I felt like I was back at home. My sweet nephews were there, they grow up toooo fast! Just look at that face!
Day Four: The wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Timm. Congrats you two, may it be an exciting and lovely journey. Wedding was at 1:00, nothing major to report. The reception was a bit later, I got to mingle with my aunts, uncles, cousins, second cousins! Sadly, no Grandma. But she was there in spirit. My nephew Avery was slow to get on the dance floor, even though his feet were wanting to, he was still a bit shy. But after a few drinks, he was ready to go. Drinks of milk people! Well, milk for him. Brandy Old Fashion Sweet for Mom and me! Mmmmmm, can only get those in Wisconsin folks. At least a good one.
It’s the Dancing King! And his dancing queen. They were busting moves and you couldn’t get them off the dance floor. It was seriously cute.
Day Five: Kind of a mellow day. My brother flew back to Phoenix cuz he is in school, yo. He is too school for cool.
Day Six: Said my goodbyes. Booohoooo. And flew back to New York City. Again with AirTran and AGAIN I scored a free beer. She said she would come back to take my card but never did. Sweet!
Day Seven and Eight: Spent with the awesome Cornell family at their new home in Floral Park. I had the basement to myself and it was like my personal apartment; bed, bathroom, refrigerator stocked with Coca-Cola. Thanks you guys! Mrs. Cornell and I went to the Long Island beach, wanted to get hair feathers (do you know what I am talking about – the new style with feather extensions? sadly, we never found a place) and then ended my trip at Les Halles. DELICIOUS French Food. If there is ever steak tartare on the menu I need not look further. Plus steak frites. But what made it the best was hanging out with awesomest friend ever. Love her!
And then it was back to Felix whom I missed dearly!
USA USA USA
Well played! The USA vs. Brazil World Cup game of women’s soccer yesterday was excellent! Even Felix got into the game (he says he didn’t) – after complaining all the week that women’s soccer is boooorriinngg. For about an hour after the win I would break out randomly with USA USA! And speaking of USA, I am off for NYC and WI tomorrow! Excited to see friends and family. No worries I will be back soon with details and pics. Stay tuned!
USS Enterprise
The illustrious ship of the USS Enterprise has graced our shores here in Mallorca. USS Enterprise (CVN-65), the world’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, commemorates a name which has been a continuing symbol of the great struggle to retain American liberty, justice and freedom since the first days of the American Revolutionary War. She is the eighth ship of the Fleet to carry this illustrious name that is literally defined as boldness, energy, and invention in practical affairs.
From the Mallorca Daily Bulletin:
U.S. Navy gives Petra museum a helping hand
Palma – Members of the 5,000-plus strong crew on board the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Enterprise, which is moored in the Bay of Palma, yesterday volunteered to help carry out some much needed repairs to the birthplace of Fray Juniper Serra, the founder of present day California, in Petra.
Accompanied by the President of the Association of Friends of Fray Juniper Serra, the former United States Consular Agent Tummi Bestard, his successor, Amy Christiansen and US naval officials, the volunteers spent the day carrying out a series of internal and external chores at the Fray Juniper Serra Museum and the house in which Fray Juniper Serra was born.
Serra first travelled to Mexico to teach in 1749 and on March 12, 1768, he embarked from the Pacific port of San Blas on his way to the Californias.
Once he arrived, he began setting up a string of missionaries and parishes, many of which still operate today. Serra’s history is part of the school curriculum in California as he is considered the founding father of the State and for decades, ever since the United States Navy has been visiting Majorca, groups of sailors and Marines have always volunteered to help renovate and preserve the museum and his birthplace in Petra.
Son Mercadal
Before Felix and I moved to Mallorca we had already visited the island several times. And except for our very first trip here (awwww – we had JUST met) on the very first night we always stayed at Son Mercadal. We affectionately call it The Farm. I still love it, and I miss staying there. It is a rustic finca (which is basically translated into a farm, but can also be a large country estate to a small rural property). However you want to define it, a finca is always in the country and I have never seen one that I don’t love.
But Son Mercadal has a lovely charm about it. It is a family run hotel and every single room has its own special characteristic about it. Whether you have one of the upstairs rooms with its own private balcony or one of the room downstairs where you have your own private door to go outside, it is a fantastic place to get away from it all.
The pool has lovely oak trees surrounding it and a walk in the gardens can make you feel a million miles away from everything. Don’t forget to say hi to the donkey and if you want to ride a horse or a bicycle – guess what, you can! Isn’t this place amazing?!
And when you think you are completely in heaven you get to eat! And I love to eat. Breakfast (usually coffee or tea with toast or ensaimada) on the terrace is included in your room rate (which is super inexpensive btw) and if you have dinner there in the restaurant, you won’t be disappointed. I remember a mouth-watering feast of a mallorquin stew followed by suckling pig all washed down with local mallorquin wine.
What are you waiting for? Book a stay at Son Mercadal. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
GOING NINETY MILES 