A good place to sit: Cismigiu Park

A good place to sit: Cismigiu Park.

I imagine the oldest park in the city would suit the seats of many people, but on a damp, wet day, we had to settle on walking the gorgeous grounds. Apparently, that is what this paradise in the city is known for anyway so we spied an ice skating rink, playground, chess tables, and about a million empty places to sit, think, ponder, plot, or fantasize.

Bench for sittin'

Or maybe some chair-sittin'

Lovely decor, no? 

 Strangle ye lightpost will yeh?

Mom, put me DOWN!

Museul Antipa si National de Istorie

Museum Hunting

One of the beautiful things about Bucharest is there are about twenty museums you can visit. And while they aren't the price of DC museums, they are cheap enough to head into especially if you have a toddler who needs to run around. The key is this: finding the ones free of breakable delicates and cranky staff who yell at you to stop touching the glass displays.

Deets and I took a field trip to the National Museum of Natural History which was closed for remodeling for several years until recently. With toddler high corridors (yes!) the museum guides you through any habitat of your desire, complete with taxidermied animals and various reenacted scenes of Animals Gone Wild. It was definitely worth the trip; I got to see some blood and guts in the human body exhibit, and Deets got to explore "on his own" without interference of mom constantly trying to redirect his attention.

Total Eclipse of the Heart

Now shake dem skeleton bones!

I told the Witch Doctor that I was in love with you!

Ooh Eee Ooh Ah Ah!

We got a hot crustacean band

On another day, I took Deets and our neighbor's son downtown to check out the Romanian National History Museum. At first I was a tad worried when we were directed to look at blurry black and white photos of grim faced priests and farmers, but beyond that they had an interesting mishmash of collections: gorgeous gold jewelry, crowns, weapons, and coins all cozied in the velvety purple basement. They also had a barrage of chiseled Roman stone you could walk through and touch (thank you Deets). 

I dunno, what do you want to do tonight? 

Noooooose.

I enjoyed some awesome hat- wearing men-folk paintings and the two boys feasted their eyes on the car and toy collection from yesterday's children. This is where I got yelled at for Deets touching the glassed-in stuffed animal display (seriously, there were filthy, stuffed bunnies, bears, and dolls from the 60's on show). Worth the visit? Eh. Probably, considering it was only 8 lei, about $2.50 and it was miserable to be outside in the rain with a fiercely independent baby boy.

Find one thing that's wrong with this hat.

No clue who they are.

Caged animals.

Home Sweet Rom(ania)

Vila 40 got an iPhone photo shoot, after I finally got some schtuff on the walls. So without further ado, here's our home!

Meet: Gordon. Named by the neighbor boys.

Thanks to Carrie Smith, we can't forget our anniversary.
Or anyone else who comes here.

 Never had a coat rack before!

Proof we have family who likes us and sends us art.
Thank you Kelsey Hoehn.

Yoga room, and where Jillian Michaels kicks my a**
Behind the door?
Shower stall and sink of course (Jim's private bath).
Thank you Delta Waters.

N+1= ??
Mark's spinning room (aka garage).

No, I didn't pick these rugs out.

Yes, it's always this picked up.

Beer shrine. Thank you Bob, Suz, and Noe!

Okay people, we have a grill and empty chairs...
 Who's coming to visit?!
Joey Yoder? Pasquarellos? Linzattis? I 'm lookin at you!

Extra trash bins for recycling. YES!

Can you believe this stoopid sippy cup
cost us 13 bucks? But when you have no choice I guess...

Bere dupa bere va aduce placere!

Washer/Dryer. Word.
Thanks to Jennifer Marti!

 1st fl BR: Marble walls, floors, counters
apparently to decrease  lingering stink.

Bored with 1st floor?

Guest bathroom and guest bathrobe.

Guest bedroom and some Picasso. So hot right now.

Guest "queen" bed. 

You love that lamp don't you? Our bedroom.
It has a wall in it.

His 'n hers dressers. Please note I have party moustaches
taped to the wall in case of emergencies.
Thank you Jenna Riley.

His 'n hers sinks AND showers. True love.

View of farm from our balcony. I want to take a bb gun
and shoot the rooster who wakes up everyday at 3am.

What the farmer sees from his balcony, maybe? Lucky duck.

Deets' room!

Deets' private bathroom. Huh.

Dalek pennants.

Passed out bebe.

That about sums it up. I wanted to credit a few of the artists on our walls, because without you, it just wouldn't be the same. So thank you!

A Day in Snagov, Romania and Saving Someone Else's Dog

This morning I was reading about Lake Snagov, located just north of Bucharest. The guidebook spoke of alluring tales of lakeside walks, beach parties, and gorgeous views of an island monastery, apparently home to Dracula's tomb convincing me to check it out. I had visions of the Dirty Dancing water scene: Jim swan diving over Mark's head.

Alas, it was not meant to be as the country club we drove to was hibernating for the winter. The pool was frozen over. Winds ripped through our jackets, and there were no cute paddle boats, let alone people to be found; leaving hundreds of vacant, red chairs lonely for attention.

Not a stress or strain is found here for it must be said

No, I've never felt this way before

As we felt this magical fantasy

Summer days will soon be over

Back into the car we piled, disappointed by my lackluster Snagov visit. But it was very fortunate we took this trip, because on the way home we witnessed a heart wrenching and breathtaking accident on the road.  A yellow lab fell out of a truck right in front of us as the gate fell open, rolling her across the highway.  I quickly pulled over, where Mark scrambled to get the pup into our back seat. Deets was petting and comforting the dog as I frantically sped ahead to catch the driver who happened to have identifiable plates. Luckily we caught up to him a few miles ahead and returned the battered pooch to her owner.  We hugged and scratched Jim-dog extra today, grateful for another day with our own dog.

Narf?