Diary: 3/10/2002

Dear friends and family:

Yes, many of you have noted that a note went out on Thursday, and dated for March 17. Leon would love to blame it on a bad flux-time capacitor that accidentally sent a future issue back over a week through the space-time continuum. Or a surge in the number of chono-particles in this part of Switzerland.

But of course, the real answer is that Leon just hit "send" when he meant to hit "save". An unfortunate accident, but when you are trying to stay organized it was inevitable.

This week saw activities mostly related to our preparations to depart on Saturday. On Monday, we had the surveyors come to look over the household stuff and tell us how it would be packed (in true Swiss style - efficiently to the point of anal-retentivity. While this is not desirable in a resturaunt, it is refreshing to see in a moving company.)

Of course, the girls are very excited and have been counting down the days. Heather, who is studying fractions in school, took time to explain the concept to Isabelle (who is not) - "we have 1 and 3/7 weeks before we go home". It is important to make new concepts relevant, don't you think?

Thursday was a day off for the kids, as there were parent-teacher conferences being held. Both girls are doing well, and the teachers were very positive about the progress they have made this year.

On Friday night we had the Saunders over for dinner, and began our last weekend together in Switzerland.

There was a carnival all weekend in our village (the Carnival of Morons... oops Morrens). As carnivals go, it wasn't much. But there were a few rides, some fireworks, and a cabaret-type karioke bar. Not that we stuck around to see the vocal talents of our neighbors. Some things are best left to the imagination. The fireworks were a surprise also. But this being a small village, we discovered them went they went off directly over our house at 10:30pm. The fact that most of us were asleep at the time is a minor detail.

Sunday was relatively quiet. We had pancakes, packed a bit, did more laundry, and took a walk in the warmer weather (it's up to about 50 here) down to a park so the kids could run around a bit.

We are looking forward to seeing everyone next week and beyond. It is not too soon to set up a date. (hint hint)

Love
Debbie, Leon, Heather, Isabelle, and Joram