Internet Woes and Flea Markets

Our internet is really funky.  It cuts out every 3.5 minutes, like clockwork.  This makes Skype conversations really interesting, surfing next to impossible, and this blog, well, iffy.  Have you ever noticed that companies say things like "if you are having problems with your internet, go to this web site," and "if you are having problems with your phone, call this number."  At least our computers are working well enough for Tom to get a virus and send an advertisement for Viagra to everyone in our church congregation.  Our VDSL connection does not refresh correctly with our DHCP, and SwissCom won't give us a Static IP address.  Tom spent two hours working on it last night, and it is a real headache. 

We decided to interact with the non-virtual world this morning and went to a yearly Holiday Bazaar sponsored by our new church.  It was advertised to be an english speaking flea market, rich in books, clothes, and baked goods.  I let the girls get as many children's books as they wanted, because they are hard to find here and typically twice the States list price.  What does a skinny little "Captain Underpants" paperback cost at a Swiss flea market?  $4.  We tried bargaining for items and were met with "but it is for the church".  Damn, it's hard to get a good deal that way.  I ended up with some "blingy" curtains for the girls room, a rug for the girls to sit on while watching "Hannah Montana" in German, lots of books, and a  puzzle for the family. 

Back home, and it's off to a new park!   Never to miss a picture opportunity, the girls posed for me. 

Nicole had lots of German homework (she's singing German Christmas Carols on Swiss radio on Monday), so Samantha had some fun with the critters.

 Guess who smiled first?

Ever wonder what the best way is to torture a cat?  Give him an outdoor aviary.   

And I thought our internet problems were difficult!