Swimming again

Eileen and I got photos taken at the swimming pool last week with her friend Dieter and my friend Ashra. That is my hand above Eileen in the pool. All the other little kids sank into the water when their parents let go. Eileen started to tread water almost immediately, and resurfaced by herself without the aid of parent or instructor. I was proud and frustrated at the same time!

Meanwhile, the holidays are here. I managed to get every single card out by 9am this morning. Unfortunately, the mail truck left before then, so most of the cards are going to spend Christmas in Volkel before they arrive wherever they are going. Thank goodness I didn't mention which holiday -- so if you end up with one in time for Groundhog's day, you know that is what it meant (even with the Kwanzaa stamp on it) -- note, please do not be upset if you don't get a card. Clearly, I am not the paragon of organization -- send me a note and an address and I will see if I can remedy the oversight (again, please wait until about the first week in February).

Eric, Eileen, and I are looking forward to spending a couple of days together. We will be planning our next trip to the US in detail and feeding the single guys, the people who are working, and any families that have not yet moved into their homes who are part of our community on Christmas. It really does feel like a community. I am so proud of this place and all the hard work that so many people have done to make it feel like a community!!!!

We expect a photo of us (Eric and myself) from the Dutch Christmas party soon. I will post it. Yet again another lovely night at the Orangerie http://www.orangerie.nl/ -- The Dutch Air Force do throw a lovely ball. I felt slightly under dressed in my mid-calf formal. Many of the dresses were floor length Gala Gowns (think prom, but more grand).