A Week Alone in Poland

I can't believe it is already Thursday! I'm pleased with all I've been able to accomplish with Craig in the UK. I must be feeling more at home here because I'm actually beginning to spend more time in the apartment getting "real world" chores done! The June Cleaver days diminished after the original on-slaught. You can all return the pearls you bought for me!! Here's a rundown of my week:

1) You've all heard about my veterinarian escapade so I will leave it at that! Thankfully, Jessica from the International Friends group is taking us to the vet with her next week! I don't know what I would do without her kindness!

2) On Tuesday I went to the International Friend's Thanksgiving Happy Hour. I had a truly enjoyable evening. There was turkey, green beans, bread, pumpkin pie, waldorf salad and wonderful pumpkin chiffon pie and of course the sweet potato/squash casserole!!! Even better was the candy corn someone found! Just like home! There were about 30 folks there and a member shared the history of Thanksgiving for those not from America. We had some great laughs! I ran into a woman whose husband is a baptist minister in town. Their services are translated to English and is easy to get to via tram from our house. She also showed me where a lutheran church is; however, their services are either in german or polish. I may go there just to listen to familiar music! At least I will know when to sit, stand and speak at the lutheran church - even if it is in polish!

3) On Wednesday I meandered back downtown with Oliver in tow to join the regular social hour at the International group. I volunteered to help out some with the Christmas party and am excited to be a part of an activity again! Interesting story...seemingly the tallest person in the group I was asked to change a lightbulb at the center. No problem...I hopped on a chair but found myself about 1/4" to short. I thought my fellow American, Greg, might be just enough taller than me so we sought him out. Nope...he couldn't quite reach it either. I began searching through the center for something that might give me just enough height to accomplish the task. Aha...a boxed set of books written by Edgar Allan Poe. Let's give it a shot!!! So, Greg climbed up on a chair so he could hold the light fixture, I climbed up on Mr. Poe and another woman held the lightbulb! All of a sudden it hit me..."how many pollocks does it take to change a lightbulb"??? In this case it took two Americans and one German! I wonder if that changes the joke a bit????

4) Wednesday evening I went to dinner with a gentleman from the 3M Brookings, SD location who may be coming to Wroclaw on a long term assignment. It was sure nice to have someone other than Craig to talk to in English. We enjoyed a nice dinner at the Greek restaurant. Interesting tidbit...two plus hours into our conversation I find out he graduated from North St. Paul High School!!!! Oh my gosh...I looked at him and instantly found myself thinking I graduated with him and flat out couldn't remember him. How embarrassing??? Whew...I graduated in 1975 and he graduated in 1978 so we likely passed each other in the hallways but never would have had classes together!! His sister teaches at Castle Elementary where my mom used to work and his mother works part time at the North St. Paul superintendent's office. Interesting...our next door neighbor in Oakdale is the superintendent!!! Call it a trifecta!!

I think I'm going to hang low today and play a little Martha Stewart. I'm kind of on a roll with my holiday greeting cards and gift tags. I did manage to June Cleaver a little bit today - managing to break my brand new mop! Which by the way...I have not found a broom or mop that was made for anyone taller than 5 feet!!! I guess it is better than the hands and knees approach to floor cleaning, but my back will ache for hours now!!!

Keep those cards and letters coming!!!!!