Hi Adri!

Okay, I've been lax about posting this week. It's not really that I can say I've been busy, it's just that I've had other things to do. Nothing personal, really.

Of course, you know that.

Actually, since Christmas (year, I'll get the pictures loaded but not yet) I've been putting in time on a lot of things that needed attention. I got a great e-mail from Tim:

___________________________________________________
TIMOTHY T. wrote:

Dear Mary,

Hoilday over?

Can you please start working on the region Caspian Socio-Economic review; Hamid says that the national rep[orts are on the web-site.

Cheers

Tim
____________________________________________________
So much for time off.

So I've been working on that, plus finishing up the Black Sea Stakeholder Analysis for the TDA.

Lots to do yet. It would be nice if the days worked= days paid, but such is the life of the consultant. Still, I like the work, so even when I'm working more days than I'm getting paid for (as is often the case) I tend not to get too bothered. At least when it's not too often.

Anyway, a lot of clean up work. It's been tricky getting everything done, and honestly, with James home from school, the holidays, and Dad needing some help with getting settled in, I haven't been working as hard as I need to be. Or as efficiently as I need to be.

But I have been enjoying having a little time to do other things.

Like today:

• Slept late, Bill has a head cold and I swear I was snoozing next to a chain saw all night. (poooooor Bill!!)
• Got up, watched This Week with George Stephanopoulos, as always, while reading the Sunday paper.
• Bill went back to bed.
• James got up.
• I started making chicken soup for Bill, but since we were out of onions, I decided to just get it started.
• James, who has been playing swim coach for me, helped me figure out what today's work out would be. It's been great having his input. He's really helped me improve my stroke, and though I thought I would die after yesterday's workout, I felt so good today, I wanted to do it again (or a variation of it).
• So I swam at the Y and then enjoyed the jacuzzi. *aaaahhhhh. I only did 2/3 of a mile, but it felt good. (THANKS JAMES!!)
• Went to Kroger, got stuff for soup and quiche and collard greens and black eyed peas.
• Came home, made soup, woke up Bill, and we all ate chicken soup. (James is at a friends, of course)
• We're now sitting here watching the History Channel's "end of the world" evening. First a program about the Mayan prophesies about the end of time (Dec 21, 2012), and now a show about a meteor/UFO/comet strike in Siberia 100 years ago. I really love having someone who loves watching the History Channel with me!!

(Sure, Bill will watch, but Dad REALLY gets into it.)

Dad's doing well. Christmas was fun and everyone had a good time together. Mom and Dad got along well. It was the first time I spent Christmas with both of them in 38 years, so that was a little odd, but still it was fun.

Since then, I've been helping Dad with things that needed to get done. We got his Georgia driver's liscence! And he's registered to vote here too. So he's legally a resident!! And we got the Buick title transfered to me (the missing title mysteriously appeared, so I could finally officialy have the car- even though I paid him for it back in September) It was fun going with him to get the title, etc. We kept running into people I knew and it was neat to get to introduce him. He's also been chatty and joking with folks around town a lot. That's fun, and people really respond well to him. It's good that he's starting to get out a bit and settled in. If he keeps this up I'm going to rent him out for parties!

Also, in the past week we've been watching the DVDs of The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. It's campy, but what we watched it every Friday for "James Friday" when he was little bitty. We got the DVD set for Christmas, and that's been really fun.

And speaking of fun, in between everything else today - and during as well, I've been indulging.
Bill (we love Bill!) gave me an iPod for Christmas. I've been downloading lots of stuff for it. Gobs of music - plus all of Dad's classic music CDs. (awesome!) So today... I've indulged in listening to pod casts.

Of course, as a workaholic geek, I've been listening to a series of interviews with David Allen, of the "Getting Things Done" fame. I first got into his stuff several years ago with "Ready for Anything". It's been a good refresher course, and a nice New Year's Eve indulgence. I'm looking forward to getting back to work, and have enough to keep me busy for the moment.

We still are waiting to hear what is happening with the GEF council, but at the moment, I've still got work to do that needs doing and this will be good to do. Since Caryn has requested the rundown on what I do where, here is a list of projects, and the countries.

Projects January 1, 2007

Kura Aras River Basin: Helping countries to coordinate water management practices in the Kura Aras River Basin though integrated water resource management.
Countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran

Caspian Environment Programme: Helping countries to coordinate resource management practices pertaining to the ecology of the Caspian Sea.
Countries: Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkmenistan

Russian Arctic Programme through ACOPS: Helping Russia to develop projects in alignment with other Arctic countries.
Countries: Russia

Black Sea Ecosystem Recover Project: Helping the Black Sea Commission to develop coordinated policies for all countries, to take steps to improve the conditions of the Black Sea.
Countries: Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine

Orange Senqu River Basin: Helping the Orange Senqu River Commission (ORASECOM) develop coordinated policies for integrated water resource management.
Countries: Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa

Tisza River Basin Project: Assisting countries to implement demonstration projects for transboundary cooperation in the Tisza River basin.
Countries: Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Ukraine

The work I do is varied, essentially helping organize the projects, conducting social science research, including social and economic reviews of issues relating to the project at the regional level, conducting stakeholder analyses (to determine who has an interest in the project activities, what those are and what the stakeholder perceptions and priorities are), developing public involvement and stakeholder participation strategies, working with NGOs (nongovernmental organizations), developing communication strategies for the projects, project document drafting, programme design, and other all sorts of other fun things.

We have a few other projects brewing, but as I said, we aren't sure what to expect yet. So I'll keep mum about it for now.

Adri, you'd love this. Right now Dad and I are watching a program on the cultural history of marijuana. It's actually a really good show.

I'm glad he's seeming to settle in. I really love having him here. It's an adjustment for all of us, but I'm happy he's here.

2006 was an interesting year - some ups, some downs. Every year is that way. Some more than others.

I miss getting to talk with you so often, but still feel you close.

By the way, were you the reason I woke up thinking I have to make quiche today? and if so, WHY??

Yeah, more on that later!

Miss you!

Love you!

Kissy kissy!

and

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Hi A!

Okay, a couple of quick things...

First, it was good to see you in my dream night before last. I'm glad to report that you looked great, were walking comfortably and so grateful to be out of pain. I know you are concerned about Dad too, but I think he's doing okay. With his birthday (73!!!) coming up tomorrow, we're hoping things are enjoyable for him. He met my friend Maggie Hunter (http://www.wuga.org/just_folks.html) at breakfast the other day. She's AWESOME!! and they really got along. I'm hoping hse may be able to come over for his birthday (or around then) to play some music with him. As Dad said after meeting her, you and she would be such good friends that you would be absolutely impossible together.

I've gotten him some song lyric books and a few other nick nacks for Christmas and his birthday. So that should be fun for him. I hope. We're watching a bunch of George Clooney movies like Ocean's 11, 12, The Three Kings, Syrania, Out of Sight, Good Night and Good Lucj etc. and that is always good for lifting one's spirits.

Second, no news yet out of Tim about work. There is enough other stuff to keep me busy at the moment, but we are getting a bit antsy. I know, hurry up and wait.

Other than that, things seem to be settling in. April, the Cuyuhoga Pee Hound and General Freak of Nature, has started to bury her food, in the dish, in the kitchen, using a dish towel. Very strange. She does this and then eats out of the other dogs dishes.But since she's been on Puppy Probation, my floors have been noticably cleaner. Kudos to Lucy (my dog) for helping keep an eye on her.

And here is the strangest part... I seem to have actually contracted a small bit of Christas spirit. It's creepy. I normally can't stand Christmas, and pray to have work in Muslim countries in December. My whole outlook on the holidays is based firmly in the Pre-who-ville Grinch. (Original animation NOT the J. Cary crap version). If I can't snarl at small children and make young mothers weep in frustration at the futility of it all, it's just not my kind of holiday season.

But strangely this year, I'm not shrieking and turning off the radio when they play the Nutcracker Suite for the 68th time, and I don't mind catching snippets of "Handel's Messiah" and even Greensleeves doesn't make me want to puke. Hell, I even went to the mall with James on Saturday afternoon!! Okay, I did elbow an overly agreesive elf, but he had it coming to him. The little twit.

I've mailed off packages in time and I've even been marginally cheerful while wrapping gifts.

Good God! What is happening to me???

Probably, it is just that I am looking forward to January with such glee. I LOVE January - cold miserable weather, long days of darkness, no major holidays to interupt work. People in a serious dark mood. Perfect for hard work. Yes, that must be it. I'm not in the Christmas Spirit at all. I'm looking forward to January!!

Well, I've got things to do, people to see, coffee to drink, and packages to track.

Fa-la-la!
So there!!


Kissy Kissy

Hi A!

It's one of those afternoons when I would definitely pick up the phone and say "What's Up?" and we'd talk for an hour or two.

I've been trying to work the last few days. I've been working, but not focusing.

We are still waiting to know what the outcome of the whole GEF SEC meeting was last week. They held a meeting with UNDP Monday, but there doesn't seem to be much clarity out of it. Next week Tim has a meeting in Vienna. Maybe he'll learn more then.

It's sort of wierd though, I heard from a colleague in Tbilisi, he's also feeling a bit sluggish about getting to work. So at least I'm not the only one.

(This is where you would ask me if I am totally freaking out about the uncertainty with income for the next year.)

Well, yes. And no.

Yes, because until Dad's house sells, he's going to need to let us help him out financially. And you know how that can worry a soul, especially him. Essentially, until that house sells, with the money he has coming in, he's still short about a two fifths of what he needs to make ends meet and to stay current with his basic monthly bills. And of course, he wants to be generous with the cash he has in hand at the moment. The problem is, if the house doesn't sell within three months, any back up money will be gone. And, God forbid, if he needs money for anything from car repairs to medical stuff, (not covered by medicare) it's just not there to cover the expense.

So Okay, yes, honestly, I'm freaking out that 75% of my business could be lost. That's something that really scares me, because I want to help him too.

Of course, We've been beyond broke before. When Bill and I married we were making less than $12,000 a year. By the time I started grad school, we lived on a whopping $18,000, for about 4 years to cover everything. Sure, now things are better, but I got good at being broke. I can do it again if I need to. It will just be difficult, with 4 dogs to feed, and James expecting us to have the heat on this winter.

No, it really isn't that bad. But when you ask if I am freaking out, sure, I could certainly let myself go there.
It's not hard to start thinking in worst case scenarios very quickly. But that just doesn't help solve the problems (also known as challenges) in front of me.

I can't know about work, until I know something, and until I know something, I don't know anything.

The scary things to face:
- Uncertainty about my job and upcoming work load
- Miserable housing market in northern Ohio
- Sustaining the 4 of us on Bill's income (8 including the dogs)
- Possible financial hardships
- Having to rebuild the business back up
- Finding some other stop gap ways of making money

Things I have in my corner:
- I work with really good folks and not all of our work has folded
- At least Dad is dressed and warm and eating well, and I can help him out for the time being
- Bill has an income that if we have to live on for a while, we can. We may not have to eat the dogs.
- I know financial hardships. I know how to do without. I have lived below the poverty line and I survived just fine. (all things considered)
- I've built this business from the ground once, I can do it again
- I could work in a coffee shop, or washing dishes or shovelling horse shit or changing bed pans. (or teaching)
I've done all these things professionally before. The money is not great, but it's a job. And hey I learned something important in every one of those jobs. I never regretted any of them, and I can do it again.

So A, no, I'm not freaking out.

And probably it won't be the worst of the worst case scenarios. And I'm sure others will pitch in what they can if things with the house in Beachwood drag out too long. It should list this week. And who knows, it could sell really fast.

But what it comes down to is you don't see many dead cats in trees. I'll figure it out.

Funny thing, I've been trying to get to work on a project document for the Kura. But of course not knowing the status of the project makes that tricky. I finally gave in and called Tim. He told me just to wait!! I still have some work to do on other projects, but the pressure is off for the moment. So I'm taking a mini break. I'll wrap some things this evening, and take it easy. It's James's last day of school and that'll be a big relief for him.

And I took the dogs -ALL THE DOGS for a long walk today - about 3 miles. It was fine once we got going. Luke took the lead, Lucy stayed near by, Molly lagged a bit behind and April kept moving. I was impressed. And they are all worn out now!! HA!!

Dad is doing okay by the way. A friend of Mike's who wants to fix Dad up with her mother called. Dad appreciated the call, but says he doesn't want to get involved again until he has a sign from you. (I'm thinking a lightning stike would get the point across) But I thought it was sort of funny. Maybe we could rent Dad out as a gentleman escort to little old ladies around here if things get really tight financially. We'd have a hands off policy, but let's face it, he's charming.

Speaking of which Mom is coming down for Christmas. Waffle House Christmas and Movies. Way to go!

And oh, I've been enjoying watching the family of wrens living in the potting shed outside my bedroom window. If you have some spare time, you ought to watch them. They are very sweet.

Okay, gifts to wrap to get in the mail.

Fa-la-la-la-la-lah-la-la-laaaa!

Kissy kissy!!
-

Dear Adri,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

We sang to you this morning (well Bill, Dad and I did) on the way to Big City Bread for breakfast. The "and many more" part was sort of a question, but the feeling was there.

Yesterday I asked Dad what he wanted to do for your birthday. He looked blank for a second and then said: "Oh, yeah...? Remember it I guess" and se we did.

I asked him this morning what your favorite food was. So far, we've come up with the expected: Butter. So for your birthday present:

All is well around here.

Last night for the Christmas party for Bill's work, Bill and I went to Midieval Times (http://www.medievaltimes.com/) in Atlanta with the folks he works with. It was sort of cheesy, but honestly, also fairly well produced, but I'm a cynic about these things. Still, it met the geekiness quotient that the computer guys he works with were seeking. I think James and Dad would really enjoy it. Lots of well choreographed sword fights and jousting and eating with ones hands. But I can think of worst ways to spend a Friday evening.

One update: The guys I work with are awesome. Tim is a real fighter and I get the feeling the projects will survive in some form or another. It would suck if they didn't. We've been working really hard on the Kura Aras project since 2004, and made some amazing progress. I think it should be allowed to survive. Of course I need to go get to work on it if it is going to.... and so it goes.

We miss you today.
We miss you most of the time, but today, well, if you were here, we'd give you pounds of butter to eat!!

Thinking of you warmly and with love!

Kissy kissy!

Bill's new style - I think it's a throw back to Lenin. Vladimir, not John.

 

 

One of my favorite pictures of Caryn - Christmas 2004

 

(2004 Christmas )

 

Hi Adri!

Well, I've finally gotten some of the pictures on line... just a few, but enough to give you an idea.

Things are going along fairly well here. Dad has taken another journey northward to Ohio, to see Father Joe and the gang, and take care of some other business as well.

It's quiet without him in the house during the day, but with 4 dogs, the silence isn't so much a factor.

I'm recovering from my trip. Actually at this point I'm in something of a holding pattern. There are rampant rumours about the GEF SEC (Global Environmental Facility Secretariat) cancelling a bunch of projects, and not funding others. If that happens, my business life will take a real hit. It's already suspect, and people are freaking out about it. I suppose if I had any sense I would too. Except that I can't know what I can't know yet.
GEF SEC meets this week. If they do, they do and I'll adapt. If they don't, they don't, and I'll adapt.

As I often say: You don't see many dead cats in trees, they will figure it out.

Yes, it would be a hard blow to our income. Yes, it would be professional set back. But I can't dwell on it. I've got skills and a good head on my shoulders, and I'll manage one way or another. Besides, I don't think it will be as dire as it could be, and I've brought in enough this year that we won't be in the poor house right away. In the recovery time, I'll figure something out. If I even have to...

And really, it's not that huge of a problem. Having an angst ridden teenager, or mounds of credit card debt, or no sense of direction is a huge problem. I've had those. This I can handle.

Oh, which reminds me, your birthday is coming up. Since it will be your first dead birthday what would you like us to do? Light the Yartsit (Sp??) candle, okay. Want us to eat your favorite foods and watch your favorite movies? (Personally, I think most of us could handle "The Adventures of Puty-Tang" or "Big Momma's House" better than "Harold and Maude" right now... but maybe that's just me?)

Dad is due back in a couple of days. It will be nice to have him home again.

I need to go help get dinner on the table - barbque chicken and sweet potatoes and something green yet to be determined... Damn, I'd love some khachapuri about now....MMMMMM!!!

Miss you, love you,

Kissy kissy

Kasbeghi Mountain, I think. At least it looks like the one on the beer bottle label.... 

Yes that is a village down there. And yes, a James Bond movie has been made about this part of the world. 

Into the Caucasus Mountains 

 

The Georgian Church/Fortress we always stop at.... 

Me and The Amazing Maka! This woman is a delight to work with!!

 

Other knit goodies from the Caucasus... now tell me again why I didn't buy all of these??? 

This sweet lady was knitting a childs sweater using more kneedles than I could count. She did some amazing stuff... 

These hats from the Caucasian Mountains are also good for disguising oneself in a field of freekishly large dandylions!! 

Georgian Khachapuri - an amazingly delicious cheesy pie sort of pastry with egg and salty cheese and butter. We also refer to it as the cholesterol special. And a staple of diets throughout Georgia....mmmm! 

A typical Georgian Supra*. Names withheld to protect the innocent.

(* translates to "one hell of party, featuring a banquet, with some damn fine wine")

 

 

A shop in the Grande Bazarre in Istanbul... 

Do I work with some of the most masculine men in the business, or what? Teyyub and Martin are definitely really macho to be able to wear the pretty purple and pink slippers. Gotta love it!! 

from the SHAG meeting... amazing folks! 

The Stakeholder Advisory Group Meeting for the Kura Aras River Basin- believe it or not, this is some serious peacemaking efforts going on here. And I really love these folks!! 

The Boys: