We've had a great summer here in Moscow. The "kids" came and went, the summer finally got here and the weather has been lovely for the most part. The trees are beginning to lose their leaves and some even have touches of color!! It's still July. But I know full well that fall is very close. I'm not ready! Too cold a spring and early summer. But I shouldn't be whining yet!!! Something about having a positive attitude.....
Been on a couple of bus tours....if you are on FB you can see the pics. Seen a couple of "new to me" monasteries in Moscow. Enjoyed the outdoor cafes every chance we get. We have a Friday Afternoon Happy Hour here at our courtyard. It includes snacks, wine (lots of it,) beer, and singing!! Yes, singing! Friends Megan and Bonnie and I end up singing to country favorites. See what too much wine will do to you! It's fun....I wonder what the neighbors think? At least they are tolerant of us.
I am always fearful that with many people traveling out of Moscow during the summer that it will be boring. Hasn't happened so far! In fact I yearn for some quiet days at home. Most weeks I have to make that happen by turning down an invitation to do something fun. Oh, well, such is life! The Moscow Life, anyway!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Kids are coming!
I'm sure they really appreciate me calling them kids since they are 25-30-year olds, but guess they will always be kids in my book!
So, who is coming to visit? Meghan and her boyfriend Jacob are arriving in a few hours! I'm excited for Jacob to see Moscow (and St. Petersburg.) He has heard alot about it, I'm sure. Now it will fun to show him "our town."
Tomorrow, 4th of July, Harry's 1st cousin Jan's oldest daughter Leana is coming, from around the world...I will have to get the story straight before I tell it! Her friend Maria will also fly in from DC. So we will have a house full and I'm so excited. I love people this age! They are so smart and open to the world. They will experience Russia in a totally different way than I do. I'm excited to see Russia through their eyes.
Monday-Thursday next week they will go to St. Pete's...without me or Harry. I hope all goes well! They are set up with a way to get there and a place to sleep. After that....they are on their own. Free to explore the city as they would like. A few guidelines from me on the must-see's....and some contact numbers in case of trouble. But not expecting any....they will have a great time, I'm sure!
Meghan and Jacob head home July 12 and Leana and Maria head out to their next destinations on July 14.
Tomorrow, the American Women's Organization will hold a 4th of July Pot Luck celebration right here in our little courtyard. We are happy to have them and even happier that someone else is in charge!! But we will have bathrooms to share, so that will be good.
So my days will be filled with sight seeing for the next couple of weeks. I will catch you up when I can...and hopefully learn to post pics.
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY, AMERICA!!!!!!
So, who is coming to visit? Meghan and her boyfriend Jacob are arriving in a few hours! I'm excited for Jacob to see Moscow (and St. Petersburg.) He has heard alot about it, I'm sure. Now it will fun to show him "our town."
Tomorrow, 4th of July, Harry's 1st cousin Jan's oldest daughter Leana is coming, from around the world...I will have to get the story straight before I tell it! Her friend Maria will also fly in from DC. So we will have a house full and I'm so excited. I love people this age! They are so smart and open to the world. They will experience Russia in a totally different way than I do. I'm excited to see Russia through their eyes.
Monday-Thursday next week they will go to St. Pete's...without me or Harry. I hope all goes well! They are set up with a way to get there and a place to sleep. After that....they are on their own. Free to explore the city as they would like. A few guidelines from me on the must-see's....and some contact numbers in case of trouble. But not expecting any....they will have a great time, I'm sure!
Meghan and Jacob head home July 12 and Leana and Maria head out to their next destinations on July 14.
Tomorrow, the American Women's Organization will hold a 4th of July Pot Luck celebration right here in our little courtyard. We are happy to have them and even happier that someone else is in charge!! But we will have bathrooms to share, so that will be good.
So my days will be filled with sight seeing for the next couple of weeks. I will catch you up when I can...and hopefully learn to post pics.
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY, AMERICA!!!!!!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Repairs finished....sort of.
So finally the repairs are what they called finished in the spare bedroom. True, wall paper has been hung, half of the lights work, one outlet works, part of the floor is still bowed from the leak, which means the baseboards along one wall don't fit. But hey, it is at least now it is fit for guests. I need an attitude adjustment I think. Thanks to Tammy for reminding me that the plumbers in America don't look like Brad Pitt either. So, off to get some liquid attitude adjustment!!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Why Can't Everything Work at Once?
Why, oh why can't everything work in this ghastly expensive apartment? Have I been away from America too long? My memory says everything works perfectly there... and when it doesn't, a repairman shows up immediately when called, is perfectly nice and polite, brings appropriate tools, cleans up after himself, and looks like Brad Pitt.
Bring me back to reality, America-dwelling friends!
Bring me back to reality, America-dwelling friends!
Monday, June 15, 2009
It's the Monday following a 3 day weekend. Always hard to get going. The weekend was lovely, the weather warm. Harry and I spent Friday and Saturday on the move, exploring this city of ours.
Friday (the actual holiday,) we went to the Troika mall. Now I've been several times, but Harry has yet to see this mall. So, I figured this was as good a day as any, and Dima is asking for overtime, so he would get that if he worked a holiday. However, a few mintues before Dima was to arrive, I get a phone call from him. The street getting to our street is blocked. He doesn't know why. He tells me where he is parked and we walk down the street and around the corner to where he is parked (maybe 5 minutes away.) We think, well, surely...when we get back from the mall and grocery shopping, the street will be unblocked. But no....several hours (and lots of groceries and misc. items) later, the street getting to our street, has a big truck blocking the path. But Dima hops out of the car, confers with the "police" and soon we are invited to squeeze the car past the truck and get to our street to get home. Whew! We had packed the bags so that in the event that we would not make it down the stree with the car we could carry the perishables in. We are learning......
So, after putting the groceries away, we thought we would wander around and see what was causing the streets to be blocked. As it turned out, the events of the day caused the Moscow government, in it's infinite wisdom, so shut down various streets for the festivities. Never could quite see why our street was blocked, but I've lived her long enough to know that no one really knows.....not even Dima! When I asked him he drew a big "?" in the air and sounded totally disgusted. The walk yeilded nothing really to look at. It was hard to get on Red Square. Can I say that I have lived here TOO long if I am unwilling to stand in a long line to get through security to look at one of the most fascinating places on earth? Well, I have. I just wasn't in the mood for the pushing and shoving, etc. I can go down there ANY time I want! So we wandered back home, stopping for dinner at one of our favorite Chinese restaurants....which is now close to us! It was a hot day and it was fun to sit in the cool shade of the outdoor cafe and watch the world go by.
Saturday, we had a nice, leisurely morning, ended up picking a park on the map and heading out to see what we could see. We went to Sokolniki Park. We saw what they call a Rosaria...a rose garden. The roses are not quite out yet but the peonies and irises, and some bush that smelled alot like honeysuckle were in full bloom. We promised ourselves to go back in a few weeks and hopefully the roses will be out. This was a lovely park full of all sorts of people, biking, rollerblading, riding in a horse drawn carriage, pedaling something that looked like a big tricycle; lots of different modes of transportation. Lots of walkers, like us. Lots of children. They had an amusement park at the end of the park and a place where pensioners were dancing. Lots of fun things to do on a Saturday afternoon.
Friday (the actual holiday,) we went to the Troika mall. Now I've been several times, but Harry has yet to see this mall. So, I figured this was as good a day as any, and Dima is asking for overtime, so he would get that if he worked a holiday. However, a few mintues before Dima was to arrive, I get a phone call from him. The street getting to our street is blocked. He doesn't know why. He tells me where he is parked and we walk down the street and around the corner to where he is parked (maybe 5 minutes away.) We think, well, surely...when we get back from the mall and grocery shopping, the street will be unblocked. But no....several hours (and lots of groceries and misc. items) later, the street getting to our street, has a big truck blocking the path. But Dima hops out of the car, confers with the "police" and soon we are invited to squeeze the car past the truck and get to our street to get home. Whew! We had packed the bags so that in the event that we would not make it down the stree with the car we could carry the perishables in. We are learning......
So, after putting the groceries away, we thought we would wander around and see what was causing the streets to be blocked. As it turned out, the events of the day caused the Moscow government, in it's infinite wisdom, so shut down various streets for the festivities. Never could quite see why our street was blocked, but I've lived her long enough to know that no one really knows.....not even Dima! When I asked him he drew a big "?" in the air and sounded totally disgusted. The walk yeilded nothing really to look at. It was hard to get on Red Square. Can I say that I have lived here TOO long if I am unwilling to stand in a long line to get through security to look at one of the most fascinating places on earth? Well, I have. I just wasn't in the mood for the pushing and shoving, etc. I can go down there ANY time I want! So we wandered back home, stopping for dinner at one of our favorite Chinese restaurants....which is now close to us! It was a hot day and it was fun to sit in the cool shade of the outdoor cafe and watch the world go by.
Saturday, we had a nice, leisurely morning, ended up picking a park on the map and heading out to see what we could see. We went to Sokolniki Park. We saw what they call a Rosaria...a rose garden. The roses are not quite out yet but the peonies and irises, and some bush that smelled alot like honeysuckle were in full bloom. We promised ourselves to go back in a few weeks and hopefully the roses will be out. This was a lovely park full of all sorts of people, biking, rollerblading, riding in a horse drawn carriage, pedaling something that looked like a big tricycle; lots of different modes of transportation. Lots of walkers, like us. Lots of children. They had an amusement park at the end of the park and a place where pensioners were dancing. Lots of fun things to do on a Saturday afternoon.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Ok! After many hours trying to figure out how to get my blog to look like I wanted it to....it happened quite by accident!! But I finally LIKE it...do you? Next step will be to figure out pictures. But I'm going to savor this victory before I once again experience defeat!
And, I know, I said I would be keep this thing updated more, and guess what....cute doesn't help! I still have to make myself do it. It's not like things don't happen in this crazy city we live in. and they are definitely are blog-worthy. And once I sit down, I really like it! But that first step is the hardest, for sure!
Since our return we have had electrical issues....the neighbor's shower leaked onto our wall and caused the lights in the front spare bathroom and spare bedroom. Also SOME of the lights in the living room, dining room and kitchen are affected. Lord knows I do NOT want to see how things are wired behind the walls. What I have seen scares me, and Harry and for sure EE Drew! Like bare wires "insulated" with plaster....which gets wet when the shower next door leaks. We are dealing with our wicked witch of a landlady (Harry calls her Leona Helmsley...the Queen of Mean and she has big lips too! ) I call her a b..... Anyway, she is VERY difficult to deal with and our sweet little Alina hates to do it. I would too, so glad it is Alina's JOB! Progress is slow, and we are looking at visitors beginning of July. So it's enough to raise both Harry's and my blood pressure. We are trying to deal....is there a patron saint for this mess? Maybe St. Jude??
And, I know, I said I would be keep this thing updated more, and guess what....cute doesn't help! I still have to make myself do it. It's not like things don't happen in this crazy city we live in. and they are definitely are blog-worthy. And once I sit down, I really like it! But that first step is the hardest, for sure!
Since our return we have had electrical issues....the neighbor's shower leaked onto our wall and caused the lights in the front spare bathroom and spare bedroom. Also SOME of the lights in the living room, dining room and kitchen are affected. Lord knows I do NOT want to see how things are wired behind the walls. What I have seen scares me, and Harry and for sure EE Drew! Like bare wires "insulated" with plaster....which gets wet when the shower next door leaks. We are dealing with our wicked witch of a landlady (Harry calls her Leona Helmsley...the Queen of Mean and she has big lips too! ) I call her a b..... Anyway, she is VERY difficult to deal with and our sweet little Alina hates to do it. I would too, so glad it is Alina's JOB! Progress is slow, and we are looking at visitors beginning of July. So it's enough to raise both Harry's and my blood pressure. We are trying to deal....is there a patron saint for this mess? Maybe St. Jude??
Friday, April 24, 2009
I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane!
Tomorrow we leave for the States! Woo hoo! I never think too terribly much about going to the States; my Moscow life keeps me busy. But when we are getting close to leaving to go back for a visit, I can hardly stand the wait! Guess that's pretty much my nature! Impatient!
We will be visiting family from the bottom of Texas to the top of Oklahoma! No way around it; we do alot of traveling in our short time back. We begin in Houston; we will be there for a week or so, visiting friends, taking care of appts. and getting some shopping done. We will be meeting Meghan's beau for the first time....they will pick us up at the airport. Imagine what a first impression we will make, "fresh" off a 12 hour flight! Poor guy! Then we go to Oklahoma next weekend, with a overnight stay in Dallas to break up the trip (it was originally to meet Jacob who lives there at the moment, but he is able to come to Houston this weekend .) So we will stay at the Adolphus Hotel (we love old hotels...especially ones with good weekend rates!) and have a nice dinner. Sunday, Harry, Meghan and I will drive...in TWO cars....to Oklahoma City. Meghan is taking a little bit of time off and we will get to see Harry's mom and sisters. Meghan will head back to Austin on Tuesday, and we will head to Ponca City to see Dad & Maxine. I am going to have lunch with a couple of friends there, one I haven't seen in awhile. So I'm excited about that. We will go back to Texas on Friday (May 8) and Harry will return to Moscow. I am going to spend the following week in Tulsa (yes, back up to OK for me!!) with 4 good friends who all used to live in Moscow. One lives in Alaska (we are staying at her place in Tulsa) one is living in Washington DC and two are living in the Houston area. Why are you driving back just to go back 2 days later you might ask?? Well, it is Mother's Day weekend and I simply can't be that close to my kids and not see them on that weekend. Of course, I will only see one kid (Meghan) as Drew is still in Korea and will not make it home when we are there. We are ALL sad about that. So, I will go to Austin (probably), then fly back to Tulsa from Austin, and return on the 15th to Houston and fly out to Moscow on the 15th. The downside....all that extra travel....the upside.....I get to visit alot of friends and family!! I'll come back to Moscow to rest!
We will be visiting family from the bottom of Texas to the top of Oklahoma! No way around it; we do alot of traveling in our short time back. We begin in Houston; we will be there for a week or so, visiting friends, taking care of appts. and getting some shopping done. We will be meeting Meghan's beau for the first time....they will pick us up at the airport. Imagine what a first impression we will make, "fresh" off a 12 hour flight! Poor guy! Then we go to Oklahoma next weekend, with a overnight stay in Dallas to break up the trip (it was originally to meet Jacob who lives there at the moment, but he is able to come to Houston this weekend .) So we will stay at the Adolphus Hotel (we love old hotels...especially ones with good weekend rates!) and have a nice dinner. Sunday, Harry, Meghan and I will drive...in TWO cars....to Oklahoma City. Meghan is taking a little bit of time off and we will get to see Harry's mom and sisters. Meghan will head back to Austin on Tuesday, and we will head to Ponca City to see Dad & Maxine. I am going to have lunch with a couple of friends there, one I haven't seen in awhile. So I'm excited about that. We will go back to Texas on Friday (May 8) and Harry will return to Moscow. I am going to spend the following week in Tulsa (yes, back up to OK for me!!) with 4 good friends who all used to live in Moscow. One lives in Alaska (we are staying at her place in Tulsa) one is living in Washington DC and two are living in the Houston area. Why are you driving back just to go back 2 days later you might ask?? Well, it is Mother's Day weekend and I simply can't be that close to my kids and not see them on that weekend. Of course, I will only see one kid (Meghan) as Drew is still in Korea and will not make it home when we are there. We are ALL sad about that. So, I will go to Austin (probably), then fly back to Tulsa from Austin, and return on the 15th to Houston and fly out to Moscow on the 15th. The downside....all that extra travel....the upside.....I get to visit alot of friends and family!! I'll come back to Moscow to rest!
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