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11/6/2000 9:30:00 PM
Boulder Creek, CA
In the Santa Cruz mountains and the redwood forrest

October 2000

October was a visitor rich month, first our friend Bine from Munich came for 10 days. She is a free lanced architect and had a week vacation ...

Hey everybody out in the big wide world!

I hardly can believe how on time I have been with my reports the last couple of months - it seems my  good goal for 2000 at least worked for the last half of the year! Robert is in San Francisco today and the kids were tugged into bed at 8.00 so I get to sit behind the computer while my brain is still working a bit - cheers to that, it calls for celebrations! Well we are leaving for Europe in  a week and I wanted to make sure that I write to you before we go.

October was a visitor rich month, first our friend Bine from Munich came for 10 days. She is a free lanced architect and had a week vacation (unfortunately her boyfriend Harry had to stay back in rainy Germany) and since we do not get to see each other much or at all when we come over she thought it would be time for her to come and visit us. We were happy that she took the time and money for such a short trip and specially because she was coming to a busy kids house!!!! We had a great week together and even were able to do quite a few fun things together, besides Sebastian school schedule. On Saturday we had the annual "Ben Lomond Highland Games" going on, a Scottish festival right next town, with all the traditional activities such as pipe players, Celtic music groups, traditional exhibits of "old" living styles and the typical pole throwing (men and women!) Monday and Tuesday Bine took off on a short drive by herself (I guess she did need a break...) down the coast and on Friday (the 13th!) she had to go back to Germany. Sebastian also had a great time with her and we even had to include her in our nightly prayer.

Right the next day we had an old university friend of Robert and his wife come and spend a night with us. Georg and Bina were here 10 years ago in Berkley and had their MBA reunion, and thought they could come and see us while here. Robert had to go to LA during the day but was back in time when they arrived. Unfortunately they had to take a flight back to Austria next noon and we only got to take a short walk through the woods before they had to leave. Nevertheless we were happy that they came to see us even though we are not in such close contact throughout the year.!

I only had a day in-between everybody to change sheets and towels, and next day Monday my aunt came from San Diego for 4 days, also much too short! We had seen each other last in April when my mom was here, and since she is going to Germany as well for 6 weeks we wanted to get together once more before the year is over... Sebastian was not quite a 100%, he had already complained about a sore thought the week before and in overall (specially the last days of Bine's visit) had acted very cranky. Saturday and Sunday he also had fever and finally got a rash on his body and blisters on his tongue - "simply" a strap throat. Well, not only has he big tonsils and picks up every bacteria around but it is hard to keep healthy with runny noses everyday at pre-school. I rather get it over with and stay well during our trip to Austria.

At least he was healthy again for the weekend, that was very important since I had a "moms day off"! Hemma and I spent 2 days in San Francisco, we originally wanted to fly somewhere but had to rearrange some things and decided to stay 2 easy days in the city. I was wonderful, we just lived into the day did not care what time it was when we ate or had to prepare bottles, meals, etc. We walked around leisurely through China Town without being pulled into 3 different directions, had wonderful meals and afterwards went to a couple of bars and dancing at a 70's club. On Sunday we drove around town, let the sun shine down on us (it was the most beautiful postcard weather)  - driving in Roberts open convertible and met the "gang" again in the evening for dinner at our place. The dads were "alone" with their kids on Saturday but hooked up on Sunday and took them for a beach day, it definitely was thte perfect weather for it. Hemma and I had a blast together and "filled up with lots of energy". It really helps to get away for a bit and not to take care of anything or anybody, and to sleep in - even though we had a hard time because we are so used to getting up... Robert and Christoph are both not very keen on dancing, so we really took advantage of being by ourselves and danced, and danced, and danced.... It was a wonderful moms weekend and we hope we can repeat it someday. The kids also had a fun time with their daddies and sure were glad to get rid of mom for a while.

The end of October we have the big Halloween festival going on (for those who get this report out of the States) and the week before it already gets crazy with parties here and there. Sebastian and Benjamin were both Batman (Sebastian's choice) and looked really cute (picture attached) Usually on the 31st the kids will walk around the neighborhood by 5.00pm and knock on the doors for a "Trick or Treat". Well, since our area is very wide spread and there is only a few places were houses are close together, the whole main street closes up for  a big party. All the shop vendors are dressed up, standing in front their stores giving out candy. The fire station sells hog dogs and it is one big gathering. Fortunately Robert had to travel less the last 2 weeks and we were happy that he could join us for this happening.

As soon as Halloween is over the shops bring out all their Christmas stuff, and it is hard to believe that it is almost the end of the first year in the new millennium - time flies.  Well now we get ready for our trip to Austria and I hope that I can tell you more about it in time next month. For everybody who wants to write back, we'll be around until the 9th and after that I will not be able to do my e-mail for 5 weeks, so don't be upset if I don't write back for a while. We wish you all a good month of November, Happy Thanksgiving and pre-X-mas season

Many, many dear greetings, hugs and kisses to you all

The 4 Schmids and their zoo

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