Thursday at 12:30am the boys came crashing into our bedroom and woke us up. They were frantic saying that something was scratching in the walls of Stephen’s bedroom. We checked the walls, looked out the windows and then ventured out onto the front lawn in our pajamas and flashlight. We found Rocky Racoon gnawing his way through our house. He came through the siding to escape somehow. He was not phased that he had an audience and that we were shining a flashlight in his face. We opted to help him out by setting up a plank of wood for a ramp once we noticed that he could not make the cliff hanging manoeuver, up and over the eaves.
The task at hand now is to repair the gaping hole in our house before he decides to come back to stay the winter.

We arrived in Rome and took the subway to Vatican City. Dodging rain drops, crowds and the slippery cobblestone sidewalks we made the 5 block walk to the gates of Vatican City. Our timing was perfect and we cleared the security and headed for the Bronze Door to pick up our reserved tickets for our public audience with John Paul. There was no waiting or ques. The Pope mobile entered St Peters Square passing by us 20ft maybe. Our seats were very close to the stage and we were outside even though it was raining thus it was not too crowded. They announced us, “we welcome the pilgrims from Canada and Quebec” and everyone clapped, we giggled.

The Museum tour was spectacular and well worth it. The treasures and opulence are unbelievable. We were very impressed with the Sistine Chapel. The St Peter’s Basilica was a highlight and I was awestruck standing in front of the Pieta. We did manage to walk around the Ancient Collusium and take a few pictures before we had to dash back to the train station to return to Florence. It was the perfect day and it didn’t matter that we did not get to the other sites.

I was bragging to everyone that if,”I could do the three Disney theme parks in a day towing 3 kids and a husband”, then “I could certainly handle Rome in a day taking in all its wonder. Well guess what? We only managed to do 3 things on our tight schedule, squeezing in as much rubbernecking as possible. What a glorious day it was, rain and all.
Our adventure started at 5:30am awakening, day bags packed and an hours drive ahead of us to catch the Eurostar (bullet train) from Florence. The tickets were pre paid and non refundable so we were pressured to catch that early morning train to Rome. We got lost in the buzz of early morning chaotic rush hour and the traffic rotarys were turning us around. Panicking we asked a beautiful twentysomething girl with flowing blonde curls, wearing a white bubble style vest, riding a bicycle for direction. She motioned for us to follow her and blindly we did. She led us directly to the train station. We parked in the station underground parking lot and found a spot immediately. Then it was a mad dash to run through the train terminal like “the Amazing Race” to catch our train. We made it with no time to spare as the train departed 3min after we found our reserved seats. phew!!! We called her our Florentine Angel for without her help we would truly have missed this memorable day ahead of us. It was Divine Intervention I do believe, she made this day possible. She came out of nowhere when we were in need, gave us guidance, made sure we were on the right path and in a blink she was gone.

On Saturday Cecile celebrated her 73rd Birthday. She was sporting a regal purple fiberglass cast on her wrist. Last Monday she slipped on the parquet flooring in her condo and took a spill. Thank goodness she did not break her hip like most seniors seem to do. I took her to the hospital and spent from 4 till midnight in emerg. She says that she is feeling really handicapped learning to use her left hand for everything. We surprised her with a pumpkin cheesecake and bags of gifts and goodies. She looks great and has lots of energy despite her setback.