I did my own walking thing today. Went to the Castelo Sao Jorge and then to another neighborhood for very authentic Lison seafood. Now I’m in the lounge at the airport and of course my flight is delayed.
I enjoy like walking tours too as well as food tours.
ShawWife suggested that when I visit a city alone for a weekend, I sign up for a cooking class and a walking tour. Seems like a good idea. It’s now on my assistant’s list.
I don’t know how anyone in Lisbon gets anything done. Lunch is at least 1.5 hours. Dinner starts about 9 and lasts at least 2 hours. Then they seem to drink at bars and apparently the nightlife peaks at 1 AM and winds down in Bairro Alto at 3 and then some people switch to another neighborhood (Baixa, maybe). I wonder if that is just 20 somethings (of whom there aren’t many – they’ve all moved to London to get jobs).
Happy Monday! H and I were back at the airport on Saturday – but just for a quick overnight trip to Baltimore. I have to say, though, that I’m ready to be home for a while. Baltimore was a 5th year reunion for the management team and investors of one of H’s companies/investments. (i.e. the company was sold 5 years ago.) Such a great group of people. H sincerely believes if the former Pres/CEO went off and did something else, every one of his former managers would drop whatever they’re doing now and follow him.
D and her BF are in Iceland for 5 days. There’s this super cheap Iceland based airlines called WOW Air. They only fly out of Boston & DC in the US. They fly into Reykjavik and then have connecting flights into many European cities – or you can just stay in Iceland. Strict luggage guidelines, but if you can travel light it’s all good.
shaw – that’s sort of how I felt about Spain. Clearly many over there are on a different schedule than most in the US!
^ I have been considering a trip to Iceland (might meetup with S for a weekend there sometime, it’s kind of halfway between us 
), so thanks for the tip about WOW air, CBB.
When we were in Greece last summer we were frequently the only people having dinner at 7 or 7:30 PM. Everyone else ate much later.
S1 and a couple of his friends will be flying on Icelandair to Reykjavik to stay for two nights on Friday (free stopover). They started in London, now are in Brussels, then going to Amsterdam tomorrow, then to Iceland and back to DC. I’ve been to all the cities he’s visiting but not to Iceland. Would love to get there someday. Hope your D and her BF are having a great time, CBBBlinker.
Quiet here today.
Started my holiday shopping this weekend. Did fairly well. Biggest question is what to do about my DILs “big gift”. I was planning on getting her a sewing machine. Went into the local store which I love and the low end machines aren’t that great. They suggested that I give her mine and I purchase a new one. I would LOVE the new model but am pondering if giving her a 20 year old machine is a bad move. I love my DIL and don’t want to insult her. Of course my old machine is much better than any thing that I would purchase her and still sews like a dream. H has indicated if I want to do this he will buy me the new machine as MY Christmas present – which I would LOVE but am I doing this because I would love love love the new machine or because it’s the right move? I hate things like this!!!
I would only give her your current machine if she has admired it in the past.
I have done no Christmas shopping. Can’t face the idea of it yet.
I don’t think she has ever seen my machine. My sewing room is off our bedroom - not some place that she has been in.
I might just ask her if she’s interested in your old machine, because you are getting a new one. Just as a nice thing to offer. And then think of something else for an actual Christmas gift.
Sevmom - would if I could. This won’t be her only Christmas gift from us. I’m usually around the 10-15 gift / person type. Just the “big gift”.
A new but not really great machine is around $800. My current one was about $4000 20 years ago. The one that I"m looking at retails for $10 grand but because even that one will be used - they are using it for a 2 day training I can get it for a bit under $7,000. They are also embroidery machines. She has indicated that she would like a sewing machine. My current one sews many times over better than the $800 does. That is why the trade off here. I can’t shell out for the new machine if I still need to buy here a new one as well - that doesn’t sew as well as mine does currently. I tried it. So there is the dilemma. I hate to get her a sub-par machine that she won’t enjoy using. Of course as my H points out my experience may be jaded as I’ve had a great machine for so long. If I buy her a new one I’ll keep my old one for now. If I get the new one for myself I suppose I could pony up and get her a new one as well but then what to do with my old one that other than age there is nothing wrong with?
Sewing machines have certainly come a long way and gotten expensive! My maternal grandfather was English and a tailor He made my father’s wedding suit. I can still picture his old treadle sewing machine! My mother hated sewing (her father was a perfectionist and I think turned her off to sewing) and I have never been into sewing either. But sounds great that you are involved in sewing and embroidery. If the old machine you have still works well, and is better than what you would buy your DIL new, she may very well appreciate it.
I figured I would also tell her that any repairs that are needed in the future I would cover or purchase her a new one if this one can’t be repaired. Has digital board, memory etc that could go in the future I’m sure. All electronic these days…
I received my Elna for HS graduation. It was expensive at the time. Nothing “electronic” except that it is electric (vs. foot treadle.) In 39 years, I’ve never had to have it repaired. (I wonder how many kids receive sewing machines as HS graduation presents these days…)
Looked at the Elnas as well MP. I just have a Pfaff and love it so that is what I’m looking at.
My girls would be thrilled with a “vintage” or refurbished machine that was lovingly used. I think it is a wonderful gesture! D1’s fiance gave us an old park bench that he refinished and had our name engraved on it for Christmas last year.We were so excited to have it and have it out at the lake. Everyone comments on it.I think it is a lovely gift.
I’m trying to get my old Singer Fashionmate 763 back from my sister. I miss it! Rode that baby for 30 years and it was in the shop once. I have three machines right now, including an $800 Singer that DH got me for my birthday/anniversary one year. Piece of junk.
RM, I asked 31 yr old D and she said that it was a very nice gift (assuming DIL likes sewing) and suggested you make it a “package” with new material or some new gadget.
Actually, I thought no but to give it as a B-day gift. D vetoed this so our vote is yes.
HA HA, I finally broke out my gift of 3 years ago–a My Little Kitty machine. I was thrilled with it’s simplicity and was able to do some simple repairs. I, too, was a girl who liked sewing but my mother constantly criticized and so…
also, everytime I open my sewing box I get stabbed on way or another–so frustrating.
My grandfather had tons of buttons. I loved to go through all of them as a child and sort them out. Some of them were very lovely and I enjoyed just looking at them. His dog that he had when I was little was called Buttons!
RM, I got one of my Vikings lightly used for about 35% of list price. If I replace it, I plan to take the same approach. One of my friends has one of the big Viking embroidery machines and is thinking about an upgrade. She has offered to let me buy her machine.
Have never told DH that new Singers just don’t compare to the old ones. If I can get it tuned up right…