Today is February 28th. We've now been sleeping on air mattresses for two months. They lose their appeal after about a week. We're still spinning in circles trying to arrange transportation for ourselves and our three kids (now it's soccer, lacrosse and the school play) using only one vehicle.
Seems those in "power positions" (read "pencil pushers") sent our car via extra slow channels...and without the complete paperwork. It's been delayed at every stop on its way here.
Our household goods have gone through customs twice and no one can tell us why. They were able to tell us it takes about two weeks for things to go through customs. That was helpful, don't you think? AHHH!
I want my bed. I want my car. Yet another lesson in patience...I don't particularly need. :-)
On the flip side - we're in a beautiful house. Our air mattresses are holding up. I love our Toyota minivan, even if she's almost 10 years old. We're all healthy and happy with life overall. I have plenty of warmth when I need it, and today I needed it! Brrrrr. Yes Kimmy, check the weather channel - it IS cold here!! :-)
So cuddle up on your comfy real bed tonight and enjoy a good night's sleep for me!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Busy Lives
There has been so much going on...where to start, where to start?
We had a great time with Kim and Cindy! The puppy was adored by one and all. Lisette's boyfriend Dylan came to visit while K & C were still here so we had a full house (of people, lacking greatly in the furniture department still!) but it was fun.
Lisette has officially turned 17! :-( That's just too painful to think about! Dylan was here to help her celebrate. School was canceled for them as luck would have it so I took all of the kids, including L's friend Bethany out shopping and for lunch. Lisette managed to drain my wallet quite well and we had lots of laughs. When John got back from school we all headed to a Japanese steakhouse for dinner. Back home for cake and ice cream for a picture perfect birthday!
On Saturday, Dylan and Lisette went to see a play in downtown DC. That was our big birthday gift to her - they went to see "Argonautika" and said it was awesome. Then they meandered a bit around DC on a Saturday night and grabbed the metro home.
John has finally been downed by the flu bug so he spent yesterday in bed. I'm hoping my outstanding nursing care and a new humidifier will help him recover faster than I did. Poor baby!
Lisette and I took Dylan to the airport this morning and then went into Arlington for breakfast. She's growing up so fast, I'm thrilled for so much of what she has in front of her, I just sulk that those big changes are coming so soon that will take her away from us.
Nicole and Jake are doing great too. Nicole starts soccer again next week and Jake has his first lacrosse practice today. I'm so glad John signed on to help the coach but he'll likely miss the practice today.
We had a great time with Kim and Cindy! The puppy was adored by one and all. Lisette's boyfriend Dylan came to visit while K & C were still here so we had a full house (of people, lacking greatly in the furniture department still!) but it was fun.
Lisette has officially turned 17! :-( That's just too painful to think about! Dylan was here to help her celebrate. School was canceled for them as luck would have it so I took all of the kids, including L's friend Bethany out shopping and for lunch. Lisette managed to drain my wallet quite well and we had lots of laughs. When John got back from school we all headed to a Japanese steakhouse for dinner. Back home for cake and ice cream for a picture perfect birthday!
On Saturday, Dylan and Lisette went to see a play in downtown DC. That was our big birthday gift to her - they went to see "Argonautika" and said it was awesome. Then they meandered a bit around DC on a Saturday night and grabbed the metro home.
John has finally been downed by the flu bug so he spent yesterday in bed. I'm hoping my outstanding nursing care and a new humidifier will help him recover faster than I did. Poor baby!
Lisette and I took Dylan to the airport this morning and then went into Arlington for breakfast. She's growing up so fast, I'm thrilled for so much of what she has in front of her, I just sulk that those big changes are coming so soon that will take her away from us.
Nicole and Jake are doing great too. Nicole starts soccer again next week and Jake has his first lacrosse practice today. I'm so glad John signed on to help the coach but he'll likely miss the practice today.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Visitors
Kim and Cindy arrived on Thursday to spend the weekend with us! Cindy brought her beautiful puppy - Sadie/Lil Bit/Damien/Mini-Me - who has captured all of our hearts. She's still not allowed on the carpet but somehow has managed to pee on it three times or so. :-(
Yesterday we went for a car tour of D.C., visited the Marine Corps Memorial and then had lunch in Arlington. All of us chicks went to a chick flick last night. We went to see "27 Dresses" and it was a hoot!
Today we went to Arlington, watched the changing of the guard and then headed to the airport to pick up Lisette's boyfriend Dylan. Cindy's feeling under the weather so we're staying in tonight and heading to bed early.
I also got the news today that John's sister and her family are coming to visit next month! I absolutely love visitors so I'm a very happy camper!!! Now if only we could get our furniture!
Yesterday we went for a car tour of D.C., visited the Marine Corps Memorial and then had lunch in Arlington. All of us chicks went to a chick flick last night. We went to see "27 Dresses" and it was a hoot!
Today we went to Arlington, watched the changing of the guard and then headed to the airport to pick up Lisette's boyfriend Dylan. Cindy's feeling under the weather so we're staying in tonight and heading to bed early.
I also got the news today that John's sister and her family are coming to visit next month! I absolutely love visitors so I'm a very happy camper!!! Now if only we could get our furniture!
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
"Youth" by Samuel Ullman
Youth is not a time of life;
it is a state of mind;
it is not a matter of rosy cheeks,
red lips and supple knees;
it is a matter of the will,
a quality of the imagination,
a vigor of the emotions;
it is the freshness of the deep springs of life.
Youth means a temperamental predominance
of courage over timidity of the appetite,
for adventure over the love of ease.
This often exists in a man of 60 or more than a boy of 20.
Nobody grows old merely by a number of years.
We grow old by deserting our ideals.
Years may wrinkle the skin,
but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul.
Worry, fear, self-distrust bows the heart
and turns the spirit back to dust.
Whether 60 or 16,
there is in every human being’s heart the lure of wonder,
the unfailing childlike appetite of what’s next
and the joy of the game of living.
In the center of your heart and my heart
there is a wireless station:
so long as it receives messages of beauty,
hope, cheer, courage and power from men
and from the Infinite, so long are you young.
When the aerials are down,
and your spirit is covered with snows of cyncism
and the ice of pessimism,
then you are grown old,
even at 20,
but as long as your aerials are up,
to catch waves of optimism,
there is hope you may die young at 80.
Samuel Ullman
it is a state of mind;
it is not a matter of rosy cheeks,
red lips and supple knees;
it is a matter of the will,
a quality of the imagination,
a vigor of the emotions;
it is the freshness of the deep springs of life.
Youth means a temperamental predominance
of courage over timidity of the appetite,
for adventure over the love of ease.
This often exists in a man of 60 or more than a boy of 20.
Nobody grows old merely by a number of years.
We grow old by deserting our ideals.
Years may wrinkle the skin,
but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul.
Worry, fear, self-distrust bows the heart
and turns the spirit back to dust.
Whether 60 or 16,
there is in every human being’s heart the lure of wonder,
the unfailing childlike appetite of what’s next
and the joy of the game of living.
In the center of your heart and my heart
there is a wireless station:
so long as it receives messages of beauty,
hope, cheer, courage and power from men
and from the Infinite, so long are you young.
When the aerials are down,
and your spirit is covered with snows of cyncism
and the ice of pessimism,
then you are grown old,
even at 20,
but as long as your aerials are up,
to catch waves of optimism,
there is hope you may die young at 80.
Samuel Ullman
Monday, February 11, 2008
It's So Cold Here!
I'm freezing my puttooti off. It's cold. Brrrrr.
Thankfully it seems as if my flu is on its last legs. I did require a nap this afternoon but John and I ventured out to have dinner in the city with a friend of ours from way back who was visiting on business. We went to an Irish pub and the boys had a pint while I warmed up with an Coffee/Baileys concoction (for medicinal purposes only!) Dinner was pub fare, nothing to write home about - literally! But we had a nice visit and we're hoping he'll be visiting us in Bolivia this November.
The kids are doing great - seem to be faring well, even with the weather...did I mention how cold it is??
John's doing great - even with the weather. Yeah, okay.
Tomorrow's another day off of school for me but I have much to do around the house and beyond! Sure hope it warms up! :-)
Thankfully it seems as if my flu is on its last legs. I did require a nap this afternoon but John and I ventured out to have dinner in the city with a friend of ours from way back who was visiting on business. We went to an Irish pub and the boys had a pint while I warmed up with an Coffee/Baileys concoction (for medicinal purposes only!) Dinner was pub fare, nothing to write home about - literally! But we had a nice visit and we're hoping he'll be visiting us in Bolivia this November.
The kids are doing great - seem to be faring well, even with the weather...did I mention how cold it is??
John's doing great - even with the weather. Yeah, okay.
Tomorrow's another day off of school for me but I have much to do around the house and beyond! Sure hope it warms up! :-)
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Seriously Folks...
I do plan on blogging more than weekly.
Tuesday afternoon I headed home from school at lunchtime, feeling quite weak and woozy. Things spiraled downhill from there. I was feeling so sick on Wednesday evening I was contemplating a trip to the ER. Thursday was better, Friday was worse and today was so-so. Seems like there's been quite a few people sick at our school so at least I feel justified for my misery. Funny how I need that eh?
Jake had his tryout for lacrosse today. He was pretty testosterone driven when John and he returned...must be the cup he had to wear! LOL John said he kept up pretty well with the other dudes and he's about average height wise...I'll still keep you posted!
The girls have had a quiet week. Tonight Lisette is out at a movie with a girlfriend and Nicole is going to a babysitting job. They've been helping take care of me but John has been wonderful. He just won't kiss me! ;-) Germaphobe that he is! He took the girls out on yesterday to get their learners permits but the computer was down. They had a "Daddy-date" and then came home none to disappointed.
Tuesday afternoon I headed home from school at lunchtime, feeling quite weak and woozy. Things spiraled downhill from there. I was feeling so sick on Wednesday evening I was contemplating a trip to the ER. Thursday was better, Friday was worse and today was so-so. Seems like there's been quite a few people sick at our school so at least I feel justified for my misery. Funny how I need that eh?
Jake had his tryout for lacrosse today. He was pretty testosterone driven when John and he returned...must be the cup he had to wear! LOL John said he kept up pretty well with the other dudes and he's about average height wise...I'll still keep you posted!
The girls have had a quiet week. Tonight Lisette is out at a movie with a girlfriend and Nicole is going to a babysitting job. They've been helping take care of me but John has been wonderful. He just won't kiss me! ;-) Germaphobe that he is! He took the girls out on yesterday to get their learners permits but the computer was down. They had a "Daddy-date" and then came home none to disappointed.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
My Weekly Blog
I'm a creature of habit - in the past that meant turning on the computer once there was a coffee in hand and the kids were on the bus. That's no longer the norm so writing on the blog has dropped off my habit radar...so to speak!
This week was filled with Protocol. I'm not sure if Protocol requires a capital "P" all the time but for the next few years, it does for me. Wow! Lots and lots to learn and then retain when it comes to diplomacy and Protocol. If you'd like I could go over all I've learned - yeah, right! With my love for tradition, entwined with my love for fun and covered with my obsession with creating harmonious places I think I'm ready for this. Famous last words.
The last few days life's been about cleaning, groceries and family. Not nearly as mindnumbing but it's been fulfilling. Thursday started with Jake and I noticing Buddy's absence from the house. Lisette had put him out about 30 minutes prior and forgotten him. Doesn't sound like her, right? Ha! I whistled for him and he returned, bounding, from the neighbour's front yard.
Yesterday, Jake was registered to play lacrosse. Should be interesting. I'll keep you posted. :-) We have a local phone line here with Cox, using our Vonage for long distance. Nicole didn't understand the difference so our $155 phone bill about knocked me off of my feet. For now, she's paying but we might approach Cox for clemency. Sigh.
Today is sunny and cool. Pretty perfect for me. I can't remember what's on the agenda but sure wish it was with you guys!
Besitos!
This week was filled with Protocol. I'm not sure if Protocol requires a capital "P" all the time but for the next few years, it does for me. Wow! Lots and lots to learn and then retain when it comes to diplomacy and Protocol. If you'd like I could go over all I've learned - yeah, right! With my love for tradition, entwined with my love for fun and covered with my obsession with creating harmonious places I think I'm ready for this. Famous last words.
The last few days life's been about cleaning, groceries and family. Not nearly as mindnumbing but it's been fulfilling. Thursday started with Jake and I noticing Buddy's absence from the house. Lisette had put him out about 30 minutes prior and forgotten him. Doesn't sound like her, right? Ha! I whistled for him and he returned, bounding, from the neighbour's front yard.
Yesterday, Jake was registered to play lacrosse. Should be interesting. I'll keep you posted. :-) We have a local phone line here with Cox, using our Vonage for long distance. Nicole didn't understand the difference so our $155 phone bill about knocked me off of my feet. For now, she's paying but we might approach Cox for clemency. Sigh.
Today is sunny and cool. Pretty perfect for me. I can't remember what's on the agenda but sure wish it was with you guys!
Besitos!
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