Cold start

February has started off cold and the weather man predicts it will only get colder for the next week. We have been hearing about the deep freeze in Eastern Europe and now we are starting to experience it.

Unfortunately, Eric has learned February first will not be his new start date at McKinsey &  Company as his work permit is not ready yet. Two work permits were being processed at the same time for him - one for his current company and one for the new company- in mid January. When his current firm called to cancel their permit because he gave his resignation notice, both permits were stopped. After a few phone calls, the new company's work permit for him was put back into the system again. This process normally takes about two weeks, so the relocation company has been informing Eric it should be here any day as the status states it is being worked on. We are praying it arrives sooner than later.

Thursday morning, I cashed in my Groupon gift to escape from the stress and craziness from the past few weeks. My hair and make-up were professionally done for a studio photo shoot. The large loft was sectioned into various areas with different themes at each location. Although there are few more wrinkles in these photos than my senior high school pictures, I had a fun time and felt reenergized after the experience.

Friday morning, we picked up an Audi A4 to test drive. The wagon was nice and gave us more luggage room, but it did not fit as well in our garage parking spot. Plus when the girls sat in the backseat, they did not have as much room for their legs like in the SUVs. Driving around in it,  just helped us to eliminate one of our options. 

Emmie brought home a note stating the Kindergarten would be reinstating the classroom Fasching parties in a few weeks. Each class would celebrate on a different day and two of the days two classrooms will be partying. We are unsure how a weeks worth of partying throughout the building is better for the faculty to handle than one day of 160 children dressed up and celebrating. We are happy for Emmie and her friends as we know they will have a ball.

Friday afternoon, we attended the last happy hour at Eric's former office.  This was the last one in the office, as the office was moving to a high floor in the large PWC building the next week. They were not allowed to bring the various beverages and snack items, so it was a cleaning out the kitchen themed party. It was a nice time and it gave us the opportunity to say farewell to everyone.