BELLA KISMET

* A throwback post about Switzerland * While staying in Switzerland ( house sitting  - read my main blog here about house sitting) for the summer with my wonderful little girls, I decided to head back to Zürich with them by train. We were staying driving distance away but traveling by public transportation is always so easy and enjoyable (and affordable!) We had visited this gorgeous Swiss city previously on a long layover in route to Cyprus - so we had a small taste of it and knew it was worth revisiting.   I recommend having digital tickets for mass transit - there is a very important note about buying tickets. You cannot get on a train or bus that is not for your exact time. For example, if you get to the bus stop early and want to avoid waiting for 20 minutes for the bus, you cannot hop on the earlier bus if you don't have a ticket for it. You have to wait. So, one way to get around that is to buy the ticket you need when you're at the bus or train stop. Not to worry,...

Here are some of my favorite designs for courageous women - especially those who have endured breast cancer (yuck to that C word). And, in the spirit of courage , let me share a wonderful story with you that all began with an anklet.  Years ago, when I became a single mother, I felt like my world was suddenly thrust upside down. Days felt filled with uncertainty - however, I had no choice but to stay focused for the sake of my girls ( and, of course ) myself. Every day or every week I made a list of things that needed to get done, and as things were completed, I'd check off the list. One-by-one I could at least see that I was making progress even if the days felt like much of a blur.  I began noticing that things that gave me joy weren't necessarily making it onto my lists. I was just doing the things that needed to get done, not things I wanted to get done. So, despite the anxiety I felt about traveling, I decided to travel overseas again. The idea was overwhelmingly anxiety-...

            About 10 years ago I decided to explore the idea of house sitting . I had heard about it before but never gave it much thought until I realized that traveling with my children would be more affordable, comfortable and a richer cultural experience through house sitting.         There are a few official websites that you can use. I've been using one called Trusted House Sitters since I've started this venture. There is a background check for sitters so people know they are getting who they are agreeing to (after all, it takes a lot of trust for someone to open up their house for someone and have their belongings or fur baby cared for in their absence). This isn't a house swapping thing (like you've probably watched on the movie The Holiday). I don't have pets in my house so I'll have a friend pop by occasionally and bring in mail or help with the yard - especially when we are gone for an entire summer holiday.  ...