Let the shopping begin!

Thank goodness for Gift cards from the students in my class. I am a hoarder of gift cards. Some are 3 years old and still in my purse waiting for a rainy day. Well, it is POURING!!!

I took $100 Talbots card and got a new outfit for the MOE. We are supposed to look respectful, but not so nice we can't interact with a baby. No shorts or jeans. I got a really nice pair of black cotton slacks. They look like dress slacks, but they are cool and comfy. I can also woolite wash them in the tub of the hotel if necessary. I got a simple white and black top with cap sleeves. It looks very classic. The goal was to NOT be memorable. I didn't want to stand out for being over or under dressed. I even packed a pair of my pointy toe heals so I will fit right in with the Russians. (I brought isotoner slippers to wear with the referral- I don't want to spike her little hand- that would be bad..) I am on the hunt for a black cardigan to go with it. I refused to pay $88 for a sweater that Steinmart will have for $15.

Ian of course has opted for technology shopping! He ordered a voice recorder, an automatic/electric translator, converter strips... and other random "cool-guy-gadgets". He also scored on the cash! He went to BA and they happened to have had $4K just dropped off by another customer that looked to be brand new! It was destiny! For those in my family: we have to take US cash for our driver, translator, the doctors who do the physical on Ian and I, the doctor who evaluates our referral, and a few other misc. expenses. We are so glad we could use points for the room and the airfare. Hopefully, we can do that again the next two times also. That is saving us about $3K in hotel charges and over $3k in airfare!

He also got his fingerprints for the FBI, now I want to go for my prints tomorrow so we can send it off on Monday.

Our SW said that our letter of approval for our HS agency was in the mail. I think we will be able to appostille it and take it with us to Svetlana for translation. Hopefully, we can leave Moscow ready to get a court date.

My project tomorrow is to print out my packing list and make sure it looks good. I threw some stuff into bags, but it isn't sorted or organized. I may do that too.

BTW, does anyone know how impossible it is to find a doll that is all hard with no soft areas? Ondrea told me that her daughter wouldn't take the doll she brought because it was soft and she is used to hard dolls (easier to sterilize). Flat out impossible, Ondrea! I have one that is mostly hard. But, I am hoping to find one in that gigantic toy store in Moscow.

Dinia and I have been emailing and I am so thrilled that we are going to the flea market the first Sunday we are there! Ondrea has me shopping for some pottery for her daughter. I hope to stock up on some thank you gifts for friends at home and souvenirs! I am so glad Dinia will be back in town when we are there. I know Karyn and Dana are jealous :)

If you are with CSS, please make sure to pray for our prayer chain and add to it as needed. I put it up a day early for Heather.