Howdy...!

Sorry to be away. Just to highlight some of our happenings and thoughts...

We're less than 3 weeks away from Jeff's parents visiting. They'll stay in an apartment right literally around the corner from us, which is nice and easy. Ella's already excited to see Grammy & Grampy!

As Larry's first time out of the Midwest since Nixon was knee-high to a grasshopper, it's going to be fun. Prague is already old hat for Mom, but she may still be a little excited, ...just a bit. Of course, ...do grandparents really care about Prague? It's Ella they're coming to see. And after a year, the li'l one has gone through some changes and learned a few new tricks. They are here for 2 weeks in September. We're getting pretty excited about their visit, coming up fast.

In October, May's sister comes for 10 days. Erin will stay with us with the added honour of our last guest in our old flat. It's been well over a year since we've seen Erin and we can't wait to see her...plus we have lots to celebrate!

In November, our first guest in the new flat will be none other than longtime bud, Eric K. I'm thinking Eric will experience a culture shock, seeing how Las Vegas differs from Prague by a stretch...just a hunch. (maybe not as much as his trip to Kit's in Korea last year.)

Then there's the November difference of 40-50 degrees Fahrenheit.

But Eric's not worried - he's got the hat.

It's going to be fun to tour Eric around. Since he's a professional photographer, we plan to keep him as busy as we can in and out of Prague.

We're feeling yet another wave of homesickness. Among other reasons, we miss our dear Andy B. who is easily found on the cover of the Hippo (Manchester, NH's cultural news). Way to go Andy!!

Soon following Eric, we're expecting another small visitor. Not sure when the baby's coming, but it'll be a much longer stay. Deployment day is January 9th, but odds are strong the baby will come early.

After Eric this winter, we're not expecting as many visitors in 2008. By then, we'll be home "soon", plus we're slowly seeing the US dollar skip and slide. The dollar's depreciated 10% to the crown just since we came last July and over 25% in 2 years. The money experts say the future holds more of the same.

That's bad news and good news, of course. A weaker dollar doesn't go as far for visitors here, but it's better value for us when we visit next summer. Ultimately, when Czech Republic switches from the crown to the euro in a few years, that'll be a major dip and jump we'll just have to ride out before selling the flat. Well, that's enough money talk for the blog. "Nas-hled."