Hi A!

Sorry for being a bit delayed, but I'm home safe and sound. No radiation (that I know of), No getting caught in anti-pope protests, nothing more than exhaustion and being glad to be home.

I got in Saturday night and was sick as a dog. The headcold + flying = (always) A BAD IDEA
I was miserable and exhausted. On the other hand, Luftansa upgraded me to business class because I'm such a nice person. (at least that's what they said. Obviously, we know better!!) That was nice.

It's good to be back, though a bit anticlimactic. Most things with work are on hold as the Global Environmental Facility waits to have their December meeting where they decide the fate of several of my favorite projects. It's not cool. But it's a case of saying "Inshallah" a lot and waiting.

I've been using the "down time" to keep working on projects, and recouperate from the hectic pace crud I brought home from the other side of the world. It's been nice to slow down a bit.

Dad's been here, and that has been really nice. He's doing much better than he was when I left - or so it seems. His color is better, his voice is stronger, and he's less prickly about things. He's also in a relatively good humor. I'm glad. Not that things weren't good before, but he seems so much more relaxed. He spends a lot of time reading, plays guitar in the afternoons, and generally hangs out with us.

We are all heading to the Athens Christmas Parade shortly. Not that any of us are in to Christmas, but it's a balmy 70 degrees and it's a nice small town community thing to do. Plus we'll grab dinner down town.

Bill is due here any minute, so I ought to go, since we plan to meet him outside when he pulls up.

Other than that, I'm keeping my fingers crossed about work, and treading water with my health. Hopefully every thing will surface well. INSHALLAH!

More photos etc. later. (I know, I always say that)

Miss you.

Kissy kissy!!

Mary

Dear Adri,

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Good news, your grandson gone AWOL, Buster is back.

Also, I'm in Turkey for Turkey Day. Strange, no one here seems to get that joke...?

Actually, I've been bitten by the bug of bad tidings and flat out today. Oh well. I did make Jewish mother chicken soup for my British, Romanian and Azeri friends. Perhaps it is a detente of sorts?

Talked to the folks at home. Adri, brace yourself. Your son in law and your grandson took your husband to your husband's first wife's house for Thanksgiving dinner. When I spoke to him he sounded good. Not catatonic. It's the second time they've dined together in under 2 weeks. Everyone here thinks I am over reacting to the news of this reunion. (Perhaps those now experiencing strong seismic activity in southwestern Ohio radiating from unusual subsurface movements in Spring Grove Cemetary will understand my concern?)

Other than that, all is well. I head home Saturday, via Frankfurt.

Hopefully, it will be a smooth trip.

Tomorrow will be fun. Last day in Istanbul. I'll stumble to the office and be glad for the chance to be there!

Miss you lots.

Kissy kissy.


And Happy Birthday to Niece Nikki too!!

Dear Adri,

Hi There!! Yes, I really am still alive.

All is well here. I'm in Istanbul now. I LOVE Istanbul.

Unfortunately, I was smacked upside my head by a nasty cold.

Foruntately, it struck Friday night.

Unfortunately, this was my only weekend in Istanbul.

Fortunately, I'm at my friend Iozefina's apartment and able to rest here.

Unfornately, I've been in all weekend - instead of out enjoying the city.

Forunately, I've been able to sleep a lot, make chicken soup and tea

Unfortunately, I've got meetings all week.

Fortunately, its with people I like.

Unfortunately, I've spent the weekend in Istanbul feeling like crap.

Fortunately, I'm really feeling a lot better now (Inshallah!)

Unfortunately, I need to go.

Fortunately, I'll be back soon.

Miss you!

Kissy kissy

P.S. the meeting in Gudauri was AMAZING!! I'm so happy about it!!
Okay, enough said!!

TTFN

Dear A,

Well, the fun thing about being on this side of the planet is that I got to watch the elections results come in, such as the were in the middle of the day instead of the middle of the night.

I can't say I'm too disappointed, except for some local races in Athens that a bit confusing. But over all, I can say "Go Dems, go Dems, go dems go dems go dems!!" I know you're with me on that one.

I've been in the office all day, finishing up the Black Sea SHA draft 1 for the TDA. Those swanky noisy blocking headphones are a dream! Of course people here kept talking to me and I couldn't hear a thing they said. They indulge my odd western ways.

Had a lovely lunch of Khachapuri today. It's the same thing I've had for lunch every day I've been here. It's a cheesy pie as Tim says. It actually like a flaky pizza dough with cheese and egg in the middle. Total cholestoral overload, but so good! I have pictures of that too. I'll try to down load some tonight. Or I'll fall asleep washing my delicates.

I'm so tired.
I hate the florescent lights in the office.

OKay, budgetting to deal with. Such is the life of the project manager...

Heeheehee.
Yes, I know you are giggling at that one too.

Miss you.

Kissy kissy,
Mary

Dear Adri,

Life here in Tbilisi is lovely. Just finished the Steering Commitee Meeting. It went well. I was the raporteur for the meeting - LOTS OF FUN THERE. Took comprehensive notes. Tomorrow, I'll get to writ eup the meeting report.

But the meeting went well. THere is a load of work to do to get everything ready for submission for GEF SEC in March. Good heaven's it will be a push. But on top of everything else, that's fine.

I had a good time with Tim and Martin too. It's like having two older brothers tormenting me at the dinner table. I really do enjoy working with them and I'm glad we have the opportunity to do it. But you know that already.

In the meantime, Dad has gone walk-about. I think he's been up in Ohio the past few days. I guess it is good for him, but I hope he doesn't get too tired. (okay, I'm one to talk)

Let's see, what else. Had the banquet tonight. Yes have pictures, no, not yet. Yes, it was great fun. No I am not going to tell you how much wine I had to drink. Yes, the wine is very good here. Yes, it is a Bacchanalian society. No, I'm not going to spell check that. Figuer it out. Yes, I should be going to sleep soon.

Watching election results come in. Keeping my fingers crossed. Inshallah!

Okay, Big A. I'm beat. Gotta hit the hay. Lots and lots to do tomorrow.

Miss you!!

Love you!!

Kissy kissy!!