ch ch ch ch changes

dont worry, nothing drastic, we arent leaving or anything!

We did decide on postponing Rome. For a few reasons, but we found out we couldnt use our miles for the tickets, and then realized that if we added the cash we would have spent on the trip to some money we have already set aside, we would have enough saved to cover the kids school tuition and bus service next year, which is a huge expense living here. So, security in the kids school tuition - a good thing.

We also got rid of our part time nanny. She just wasnt that great, and my gut said something was off, so I decided to take a break from the whole nanny thing and try again maybe after the holidays. It was one of those situations that she did a lot of little things that alone wouldnt have bothered me, but a lot of little things add up to a big thing. Leo called her this weekend and told her we decided not to have a nanny for a while and that she could come by and pick up her house slippers and clothes she changed into when she was here. She showed up today and said "someone called me this weekend and told me not to come in!" I said - uhm, yeah, that was my husband, you met him before, I am sure he identified himself when he called (ok- I didnt say that, but you know). It was kind of awkward. My russian teacher was here and helped translate.

Nice thing about my gym membership is they let me put a hold on it for a few months so the time is not lost. I am not used to having someone else take care of my kids, even for a few hours, so this whole nanny thing is odd for me. But we will see. I will still be able to go to the AWO newcomer coffees with natasha, and book group (my plan is to walk her in the stroller prior to meeting so she will be asleep and will just chill in the stroller while we chat away). Stitch group will have to wait - which is ok. The ladies there are super nice, but I am ok with not going.

What else? So now my plan is to get natasha on a good schedule during the day with her eating and sleeping, so hopefully she will be better at night.

My other plan is to get me on a good schedule with my studying russian, housekeeping (I get behind, then overwhelmed, then crabby!), and then time to do a few things I like, like reading for fun and doing some crafts. I have tons of ideas for crafts, but need to focus on finishing what I have started, and deciding what I want to do - I sometimes have great ideas, then get bored with the project half way through. I also am going to wean myself from the computer. I feel like I am always logging on to check email/facebook/blogs. Seriously so much of my time is spent on the computer (uhm, like now).

Thats about it- I know - boring.

On the russiany side - it is getting colder, fur is making an appearance - odd to see after living in a not too cold/paint throwing area like seattle for so long.

Our grocery delivery place now delivers fresh fish (utkonos.ru). Leo ordered some and it arrived. I have in my freezer a sturgeon. A whole one. It is weird looking. Like this, only for some reason ours has a pointier nose.

I asked leo how to cook it and he said I have to clean it first, then cut a hole in the tail, poke the pointy nose through to make a ring, and then braise it in broth. I am sorry. I am squimish. I dont want to poke anythings nose through its tail.