Shoot, I wasn't complaining, it's just a typical day when you are remodeling. In fact most of the things were positive. Don't have to cut down the trees. No gas leak. Cracked window replaced. Guys were there WORKING. The plumber came and capped off the leaky faucet and installed another hook in the shower. The repairs to my car were covered with the warranty. You are right, it will be great to get moved. I am so ready.

Calliope and Rob's comments about Bulgaria in my patio thread got me thinking I should talk about what I know of the country and the trip before I go, and this is probably the most appropriate thread in which to do so... We are going because we have a lot of Bulgarian friends, and we have a priceless opportunity to see a new place in the company of insiders. We will be staying with a good friend who is a naturalized American but still keeps her apartment in Sophia. Also traveling with us is another native who now has an American passport, his wife (who's from ND, so you know she's cool!), and their 18 year old son. We'll also be visiting my girlfriend's parents, whom we've met before and who live in an apartment in the same building, and the wife of my girlfriend's brother. The brother is also a good friend of ours. He has a green card, so can't be out of the US for more than 6 months... and the wife is waiting for her green card and can't come here until she gets it... oh, and she's about 8 months pregnant. My friends promise to introduce me to a wide circle of family and friends. Most don't speak English, but my friends will translate... plus I understand I'll be able to converse with some friends in French... and I do speak a bit of Russian, if they'll forgive me for communicating in the language of a former oppressor. If all else fails, I'm a dang good mime. I'm actually surprised at how much Bulgarian I'm able to understand, and I can read the alphabet. We're planning on spending some time cooking together, some time visiting historic sites, like Rila Monestary, and some time at the Black Sea. From what I am told, these are some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe. I suggested we hit Greece, since we'll be so close, but I was met with disdain (and Bulgarian pride), after all, Greek beaches are horrible pebbly places, while Bulgarian beaches are beautiful and covered in sand. Bulgaria was dominated for centuries by the Ottomans, and there are lots of residual Turkish influences. Lots of Greek and Russian influences too. They are proud people, and while they have adopted many of the foods and customs of people who have dominated them over the years (they seem to be gifted at choosing the losing side in wars), they can be a bit touchy about the whole thing and are quick to point out All Things Bulgarian. For instance, Bulgarian doesn't use the Russian alphabet, Russia uses the Bulgarian (Cyrillic) alphabet. Bulgaria is part of the EU, but they haven't converted their currency yet. They produce most of the world's supply of rose oil, a component in nearly all perfumes. I was disappointed to learn the rose farms will not be in full bloom, because areas of the country feature valleys full of roses as far as the eye can see, and the scent is supposed to be heavenly. Oh, and nodding the head = "no" and shaking the head = "yes". Apparently this is the source of much confusion with outsiders. I have been told that this is because Bulgarians are largely comprised of three tribes of horsemen, and this body language emulates that of horses... (they nod when agitated) but I don't know whether or not that's an apocryphal explanation... We're leaving this week and will be gone for a while. I promise to take lots of pictures and post stories when I'm back and over my jet lag.

Rob, I hope that this garage sale will not be as traumatic as your last one. Wow....... I just luv the pic of your grandfather in the lab. I can't tell by the photo, but I bet there is a bunsen burner in there somewhere. we had one in our chemistry lab in high school in Sweden. I also recognize some of the beakers in the photo.

Lists give me a false sense of order. Life is chaos right now, so indulge me... First, let me share some images with you: I got manically enthusiastic over this spring's first bee sighting... and laughed out loud when I saw . She's fast asleep (maybe dead?) on a flower after multiple frosts so far this fall... I had to go inside and get my camera because there was something about her "pose" that reminded me of that snapshot every mother has of her toddler asleep on the potty chair. Here's a view of . (Caution! This bullet point is rated PG-13!) Earlier this month, I called my unsuspecting neighbors into my yard one by one to scandalize them with some that startled me. ! I have to work on Halloween. I only work one Friday a year and this one is it! As both a nod to the holiday and a gesture of rebellion, I want to wear a costume... but I really have to wear a business suit... so I came up with an ingenious ... (I'm going to be the witch the house fell on... who just happens to wear a business suit in real life...) I've got a lot of irons in the fire right now. They're "fun irons" but energy-draining nonetheless: Our front patio project starts this week The living room furniture we ordered last summer is being delivered any day now, and we are completely reconfiguring our TV/stereo setup in the process My big tradeshow is next week Steve and I are going to France (Paris & Nice) next month (two weeks of business for him --- ten days of pleasure and reminiscence for me) I need to put a couple major work projects to bed to prep for a long Thanksgiving/hunting trip to visit my family... Fun story: I got an email (and subsequent phone call) from a former coworker/friend last week. We moved away six years ago, and it'd been three years since we last spoke. At that time, we talked at length about a guy who was asking her out. (She was single, and we enjoyed talking about her dating life.) She was interested because he was intelligent, kind, interesting, attractive, a successful commercial pilot, and very in to her. But she was reticent to go out with him because he was divorced with kids. For that reason, she was going to blow him off. Apparently, I chastised her and told her that being a divorced father wasn't sufficient reason to write off an otherwise-interesting guy. I said if there's no drama between him and the ex, and if he's mature about the whole deal, it might even be a plus. I summed it up by saying "For crying out loud! He's not asking to marry you --- he's asking you out to dinner! Shut up and go already." She got back in touch to send me their...