Tuesday May 29, 2007

 

UGH—not a good day.

 

So far everything has been "best case scenario". Today has been worst case. All started out well. Max arrived at 6:15 and we were set have a very productive day. I went with the doctor to 2 clinics and the hairdressers (yes one of the docs was getting her hair done) to get all the needed signatures. Mary stayed with Daniil and played and Max went to see the judge. Two out of 3 ain't bad unless the one you need is the important one. Mary's mission accomplished—a nice visit with Daniil. My mission accomplished—the doc got all the paperwork done. Max ran into a roadblock.

 

The judge had had a hectic day. By the time he caught her, she was leaving court after a full docket. She was not happy to see him and told him there was no chance for court before June 14 ^th. WHAT June 14^th?? We hoped to be on our way home by then. It is permitted by law to take this long, but everyone else has been so helpful and appreciative that we are giving this youngster a chance we thought the judge would feel the same way. She does not (or at least did not this afternoon) We are hoping that Max just caught her at a bad time and she may reconsider in the morning.

 

The SDA will process all the paperwork so that we could have court anytime after this Friday. June 14^th is A VERY long way from Friday.

 

After a frustrating day, we had a nice dinner at our café and Max headed back to Kyiv (the only berth left on the train (is that proper train lingo??) was 3 ^rd class. A small sleeper on top (the hottest) right next to the lavatory (the smelliest). (we love you Max!!). He will deliver the papers to the SDA in the morning and they promised to turn them around by Friday at the latest.

 

So here is the deal—If the judge will bend and grant court like we requested on Monday we could be home by the 15^th or 16^th. If we get held up in court we could be here for the 4^th of July. Argh----

 

Stay tuned for more as we know it----

 

The weather forecast for the rest of the week—Sun and highs near 100!

 

YAY!

 

 

Jim and Mary

 

PS: On a lighter note--A word about meat sticks:

They are kinda like Slim Jims only they have flavor beyond the salt that cured them. Somewhere between a summer sausage and pepperoni. Dr Atkins would have loved them (were he not dead). They are my fave as I am trying to lose 30 lbs on our trip. "Go Meatsticks"!