Windows !

Last week we tried to hire some people to clean all the windows of our house from the outside. Because of the upstairs and the bushes, many of the windows are hard to reach, and also the storm windows make things even more complicated. So we found a guy on Craig's List who was very friendly and hard working, but did a terrible job. It was so bad I was crying by the time he and his assistant left. They broke one window, they used a pressure washer on the outside without closing all the storm windows (so got a lot of water in the house) and worst of all, the windows literally looked worse after they left than they had before (which was bad). Yesterday the three of us spent most of the day doing it ourselves. It was a lot of work to take every window in the house apart, but at least they are clean now.

Here is a picture of one of the guest room windows the day AFTER we paid someone to wash it. The second picture is of Miran up on a ladder making things right.

Thanksgiving

I haven't posted anything in quite some time, so here come a couple posts to catch up with what has happened in the last month. First, Thanksgiving ... Miran and I went to Matthew and Lindsay's in Savannah. My parents and Margaret and her boys were also there. We had a wonderful time visiting with everyone and listening to Matthew and Lindsay start to make wedding plans. We're very excited about their recent engagement!

Here is a photo of Michael looking perfect, me and a big southern looking tree, and a couple shots from the putt putt game.

My Birthday

Here are two pictures from my birthday ... it was spread out over two evenings because not all of my packages arrived on time. But as you can see, I had a nice carrot cake on my birthday (Miran and Azra added the letters "Volimo te", which means We love you!). And I got lots of new books, as well as other wonderful things, like glass storage containers, a sweater, a knife, a gap gift card, and of course, my new bed that I still enjoy. Thanks everyone!

More company !

My father has been visiting this week-end and we've been having a great time. As always when spending time with Daddy, we have eaten really well - we went to a Cajun restaurant he knew of Friday night, yesterday we ate at our favorite place, and today we are headed for Dim Sum Chinese for lunch. We also had a very cultural day yesterday ... below are pictures of Daddy in front of the Bechtler Modern Art Museum we toured in the morning and of Miran, Daddy and I in front of the Performing Arts Center after the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra concert we hear last night (notice both Daddy and Miran are wearing blazers! They looked so good we had to take a picture. The CSO had a visiting trumpeter who was really amazing and the new conductor was very animated and fun to watch. This afternoon Daddy heads to the research triangle area of North Carolina for a meeting.

Rally to Restore Sanity

And here are a few pictures from the rally itself ...

On the way, crammed happily in the back seat because Cecilia was nice enough to give us a ride into the city when the metro was totally overwhelmed and impossible to get on.

Our view towards the Capital. Somewhere in front of us was a stage, large TVs and speakers, but we couldn't really see or hear them.

Us and the view behind us toward the Washington Monument. We wore our matching Obama hats.

Me on the long walk home as we again avoided public transportation and Cecilia again saved us by picking us up at Arlington National Cemetery.