News Alert--Goodbye, Blogger!

I'm moving this blog from Blogger to a different blogging system called Wordpress. I'm doing this so that family members in a certain country can see it; apparently that country doesn't allow Blogger in.

So, starting today, if you want to read Linda's Family News, you need to go here:
http://lindasfamilynews.wordpress.com/

Please take a minute to put that link in your Favorites or Bookmarks in your web browser. Or better yet, add it to your RSS feeder, if you know what that is. Also, I won't be able to send blogs by email any longer, so you'll have to go to the above link if you want to know what's going on at Linda's Family News.

Bye Blogger. It has been nice knowing you.

Baby Gets More Shots

Andrew sent a couple emails this week. Here are excerpts:

We had a full day today of more purchases. A washing machine, toaster, changing table, hair dryer, and groceries. Also we got a shower rod and curtains installed in the house finally so it seems the house is coming together. Except for maybe a TV we probably have all the purchases we will make at least until our container comes so we can see what we have in there.

Yesterday, I bumped into a Harvard classmate who is here for a week on business. He and his wife now live in Tanzania. We took him out for lunch today.

and

Isabella had her shots yesterday at the Swedish Embassy clinic which seems to be the only place that has vaccines in the country. I am not actually sure how much they cost since they charged us in sweedish kroners. About 2200 kroners for the six vaccines. One was a 5 in 1 so only one injection. She had the other one in the other leg.

We finally got out curtains installed this week after much waiting. They look nice and make the house feel a little more homey.

As for other news, I've caught a pretty bad cold and don't feel so great. I stayed home from work yesterday and am still moving pretty slow today. When I'm not resting I"m trying to get my Christmas packages ready to take to the post office on Monday.

Forget the Thumb!

Laura sent me this cutest photo of baby's latest trick. I added this photo and several more to the Picasa web album (Baby, part 7). Do you know how to get there, or do I need to post a link?

You will also see a photo of baby with her Ethiopia cousins who speak Spanish!

I've been half sick today with a cold, but tonight is our department Christmas party, so I need to pull myself together. I'd rather just stay home curled in a ball.

Cookie Baking Has Started

I'm making a bunch of stained glass star cookies this year to have on hand for all those Christmas events that you're supposed to bring some goodies to.

They are pretty and pretty easy, and they will sit in the freezer until needed without any problems.

I've also baked a bunch of Christmas trees, and will get to decorating them soon.

A Lovely Visit to Granbury

Yesterday afternoon we drove to the home and Dave and Julie in Granbury, TX to join them and two other couples to celebrate the beginning of the Christmas season. We started the evening with a visit downtown for the 25th Candlelight Tour of Homes. We went to maybe 8 or 10 houses out of the 25 on the tour. Then back for a lovely meal, opening Christmas gifts, doing a craft project, and trying out Dave's Wii. We spent the night, had a lovely breakfast and drove home in time for church. Halfway home we realized our coats are still hanging in their closet, which wouldn't be so bad about the coats, but Gary's best reading glasses are in his coat pocket. So, now we have to figure out how to get them back.

Click on the photo below if you want to see more photos of our visit.

Overnight in Granbury

A Saturday in Advent

I think both Rachel and Gary have other things to do, but this morning Gary is giving Rachel an algebra review in preparation for a certification test she has to take Dec 17. Why does "Are you Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?" come to mind?? Ugh--8th grade algebra was a long time ago! And there's science, history, and literature to worry about too.

In spite of this looming test, Rachel's job continues to go well. She's over the steep learning curve and now only works 12 hours a day instead of 18! Once in a while she only works an 8-hour day! She still works some on the weekends too, but she's not as stressed as she was at the beginning. Yesterday she got a couple nice compliments from her boss who reviewed the recorded online parent meeting that Rachel led. She's learned so much about spreadsheets, online collaboration software, and application sharing along the way too.

This afternoon Gary and I are driving to Granbury, about 60 miles away, to spend the evening with three other couples with whom we used to enjoy a weekly Bible study. We plan to spend the night there but make it home for church tomorrow.

Getting Closer to Starting

Today we talked with the contractor and finalized our plan for remodeling the bathroom. Here's a sketch of the new floorplans. We will end up with a full bath and a three-quarters bath with a sink in the bedroom. This means lots of replumbing, but I think this is the plan that gives us the end result we will be most happy with.

He hopes to get back to us on Monday with an estimate, and he hopes the project would take no more than 4 weeks. It is likely to span the holidays, so good thing we had all our company in November! We're excited (well, I am at least!) to get started on this project!

We will do our own purchasing of the fixtures, so if anyone reading this wants to know what we want for Christmas, think Home Depot gift cards!

Cute Baby Tries Cereal

I've added a handful more cute baby photos to the online album--baby is seeing what cereal tastes like. Click below to see the newest additions.
http://picasaweb.google.com/linda.simons/BabyIsabellaPart75Months#

In other news, today Rachel got a ride to Casa Mañana Children's Playhouse to attend a school field trip to the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer show, but we needed to go pick her up at noon. Gary kindly came along for the ride and be be navigator.