Operation: Goldilocks

We had a great trip to Israel!

We stayed in fabulous apartments in great locations - thank you Trip Advisor! In Jerusalem we were at the Windows over Jerusalem (if you have been there, you know the building). We had a view of the Old City and an easy walk to Machane Yehuda and Ben Yehuda Street, and the light rail stopped across the street.

Windows over Jerusalem

We saw the sights. . .toured Masada. . .floated in the Dead Sea. . .walked a lot. . .ate wonderful food.

In Tel Aviv we were in another great apartment, just a block or so from the beach.

Which we toured. . .on Segway!

We saw more sights . . .shopped. . .walked a lot. . .ate great food.

We have been to 4 of 4 locations of the Eden Gallery (New York, Jerusalem, and 2 in Tel Aviv). We loved this piece:

It's true that Lauren describes the trip as "like the scene in Independence Day"

The one where Air Force One is taking off just as Washington is exploding. We were luckily a step ahead. . . we left Yad Vashem minutes before a forest fire broke out nearby, we left Jerusalem just before the missing boys were found, we left Tel Aviv on July 3, when when only a few rockets had been fired into the south. Oh and we landed in New York just before Hurricane Arthur (so we had an uneventful landing, but got soaked that night!).

We have hundreds more photos. And awesome memories.

For me, it was a much-needed vacation from this year. From the flood recovery, the surgeries and their recoveries, the unknowns, everything. The trip had different sights, sounds, flavors, weather. Different mirrors. Different rhythms. I am so grateful for my mom and for Lauren, for taking this trip with me. And for all of us being well and strong and able to travel. I am so glad we did it when we had the chance.

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First she had saline-filled expanders. But they were too big.
Then she had silicone implants. But they were too small.*

* also: not a matched set, and other surprises unplanned results.

Wednesday I have yet another date with the plastic surgeon. Like Goldilocks I'm looking for "just right." It's the fun surgery, again! We have had several conversations, he and I, about what needs adjusting. There will be more fat-rearranging as well. This is outpatient, so I will be home by Wednesday night. I'll be taking it easy (means: wrapped in compression-wear, covered in ice packs and hopefully more knitting than working) for a week or two.

And then I'm ready for happily ever after!