campaigning right here in Rotterdam

Should you wonder how much of the Obama vs McCain madness we're getting overhere; a LOT.
We saw most of Obama's (and his wife the day before) speech, we saw Hillary and Bill (reading from the autocue). Ofcourse the new female vp for John Mc Cain whom nobody seems to know.
44, mother of 5, mayor in Alaska. One kid with down-syndrom and the oldest (never know if i should say oldest or eldest) goes to Iraq.
Seriously, we have even been discussing the campaign during lunch at the office! Haha! 5 women going on about world politics, the war, hope and change, experience and charisma.

On a totally different level; the weather forecast said the summer ends this sunday. Not that is has been that fantastic to begin with, but today and tomorrow seem to be pretty decent and then it's back to sweaters and boots again.
As it happens Melissa and i are going on a city safari today.
And no. i am not going to explain that one.
Rach, do you remember the tarot card woman? We're going to see her today again. i am smiling already.
ttyl

Taxi!!

It's the last days of the summer holiday for the kids.
Caroline can't wait to go back (mainly coz she's got new clothes to show) and i think Morten and Timo won't mind too much either.
They have grown so much, literally, these past weeks.
Just give 'm food and sunshine :0

Robbert made the phone call yesterday; he's going to give a training of Waterpolo on Tuesday evening. The boys are excited about it, and i think it will be a lot of fun for all of them.
So, for Morten it is twice a week waterpolo and twice a week judo
for caroline it is judo once a week and swimming lessons once a week
for timo it is twice waterpolo, once judo and once tennis.

Honestly I am nothing but an ordinary cab company for my kids.

Ok, this is going to be horrible

And believe me, you'll agree soon.

We came home from holiday last Friday.
Cuddled the cats who were very interested in something going round in the heating thing in the ground in the back of the living room.
A frog we thought.
Maybe a mouse.

As nothing could be seen or heard, i sort of forgot about it.

Then Saturday night Robbert came to bed late but i thought he had been watching the Olympic games.
as it turned out, he had been trying to kill a rat.


.......


i almost cried.
and puked.

honestly, i was grossed out.

in my mind i saw him being bitten and getting the plaque or something horrible.
or the rat escaping in his death anguish and hiding in the kitchen.

but i also wanted it DEAD. Now!

we called the city department but in the weekends nothing could be done.
so.
another night went by.
i harldy slept and kept hearing it.

monday morning 8,15 we were there, only to hear someone would come by today with traps.
holiiieee. that means another gruesome night.

being as exhausted as i was though, i did sleep through everything this night, only to see the rat walk on our terrace while we were having breakfast this morning.

.......

yes.
now the kids noticed it too of course and weirdly enough were way too enthusiastic.
May have to do with the spear Robbert showed them and the story about how he wanted to stick it through his head, the minute the rat would show up again in the heater thing.

I thought that was as perfect as it would get for me to get off to work and let them deal with the rat.

Robbert just called me.
a woman came by.
with 2 traps.

well, robbert said. i know where it is, coz i've blocked its ways; it's down there.
So what do you want me to do she said.
smash it on the head ? robbert suggested.

she didn't dare to kill it.
just our luck.
a rat hunter who's afraid of rats.

so. in the end, robbert did use his spear.

Home sweet home

Yes, we're back. Croatia is a huge recommandation. Beautiful weather (mostly), roman and medieval villages, complete with castles, i have seen dolphins while on the boat from Rijeka to Dubrovnik, the kids swim like never before, we had a fantastic time.

I am dreading the emails that await me when i go back to work in a couple of days. For now, i am also very glad to be sleeping in my own bed again.