Christmas Countdown!

Hi Everyone!
In less than one week I will be in Boston! I can't believe how fast the past 2-3 months have gone! We've been busy with all kinds of Bechtel activities.

From the Halloween party in October, to a nice Thanksgiving dinner, plust going away party for some "part time' employees, and meet the Mixes dinners for different groups I keep busy with planning and cooking!

Last Sat. night we had our big Christmas dinner and dance which I am happy to say I had nothing to do with on the planning! It was held at a restaurant that overlooked the city lake. We had a great time and the food was great and beautifully displayed!

I've been working on decorating our house the past week for the Open House we are having for employees and political people. It will be catered so I don't have to cook for that either....except I want to make some punch and have some "American" cookies and maybe I'll make some divinity.....that always reminds me of Gram! The guys at work were going to cut me a 9 ft. Christmas tree and they brought it a few days ago.....Well it is 9 ft....but a little sparce for branches if you ask me!!!! Ha! We havent' put it up yet because they also had to make a stand for it....and it doesn't hold water....so we are waiting until Wed. to put it up..
Most Romanians put their trees up just a few days before Christmas....
They celebrated St. Nicholas day here last week which they do I guess all across Europe....
The children polish up their shoes or boots and set them out and St. Nick comes and fills them with candy and toys and hopefully not just a stick!
We have had mild weather here too....which is good since our heating system isn't so great in this house.....it works downstairs, but not upstairs. Our landlord doesn't seem to concerned about it! Or any other problem in this place! Last week Mike had an electrician from work come.....He fixed my broiler on my oven, the clothes dryer, my dishwasher, the light in my china hutch, and the hanging light in my kitchen!!!!!Hallelujah! I told Mike I didn't have anything to complain about anymore!!!! We 've been waiting since June for the landlord to fix some of this stuff!!!!

We have firewood for the fireplaces....but it really hasn't been cold enough for a fire!

Yesterday was Barney day. His hair was a mess....matted and gnarly because he started shedding about a month ago.....Almost all the hair on the end of his tail was gone! I got concerned and called the vet. He thought it was just a natural process which came kind of late this year because the weather has been so mild......Well, he put him on some vitimens and we gave him a bath and used lots of conditioner and oil. We brushed him off and on all day yesterday and he looks like a new dog! You wouldn't believe all the hair we combed out!

Mike had fun Saturday working in the Autostrada Transylvania Santa house...It is on a big truck and they take it around to the villages so the kids can get to see Santa and get a candy treat. It was in Cluj on Sat. They have a generator so they have lights and music and everything. He was supposed to be a "reindeer" again yesterday, but they cancelled it due to rain and Santa's house was leaking! They go to the villages during the week and get the kids out of school for the visit! it's been fun for the employees and there are sure some touching moments watching these kids......most have never seen or done such a thing here.

Our open house is Sat. night from 6PM until the last person leaves! I need to be at the airport at 6AM the next morning! So I need to get organized with my luggage! Will go to Boston the 17th, Kansas City on the 20th! Planning to go to Hiawatha that night....pick Mike up on the 22nd in Kc and go to the lake!

We want to invite you all to come down to the lake anytime you can....but Barb and Dennis are planning to come the 30th! We have room for all and it sure would be fun to bring the New Year in together! Then we'll probably come back up to Hiawatha a few days before we take off again on the 13 of Jan.

Well, I'm making potatoe salad today for my friend who is working with the gypsy's here in Floresti......She is having a big dinner for them Wed.
And one of the Bechtel wives is here from London....visiting her husband....living apart! I'm going to try to get her to move here! So I need to give her a call.

We are looking forward to seeing you all soon! Can't wait!

Regina- the pictures of the girls are so cute! Thanks for sharing!

God bless you one and all!!!!!!