18 September 95

 Dear Mom and Dad,                                                                    18 September 95

My apologies for the awkward telephone conversation on Monday. We were unfortunate enough to get one of those “delay” connections where everything you say reaches the other person a second later than normal. It throws everything out of whack and makes it impossible to enjoy the conversation at all. I always want to hang up and try again; that's how dreadful I find it.

Thanks for getting excited about the news (I let Stefan break the news because of the bad connection - I really didn't want to talk anymore. I mentioned this because you had asked, mom.) Stefan’s parents didn't lift an eyebrow (yes, you can hear eyebrows lifting on the telephone) when we called maybe they've just been through too much in their lives to get very excited about anything anymore. Or maybe they just couldn't express joy or surprise on the telephone.

At the moment the only reason I know I'm pregnant is because the doctor told me so. Other symptoms I have not had. I feel completely normal, except, perhaps, that I sometimes feel enormously fatigued. Last night I slept 13 hours.

I was lucky enough to find a great doctor right away. Her practice is in is right here in Neinberge and she's a naturopath and everything is covered by our insurance! Sometimes your insurance doesn't pay for alternative forms of treatment (unless you're privately insured), in fact, that's the case with almost all such alternatives, so I was ecstatic to know that ours covers everything.

On Tuesday, the day after we found out, Steven brought a bottle of schnapps with to work so he could spread the news the traditional German way. Whenever you've got something to celebrate, you're responsible for buying everyone a drink, instead of having them bought for you, which I find is more typical in the states. It was so funny to watch him! He was so proud!

I have a couple of favors to ask I forgot to ask on the phone I'd like to have a copy of Dr. Spock’s famous baby book. I don't know why it is so good, but it has a great reputation. If you think it's worth having. Mom, could you send it to me? Also, since I'll probably be spending more time relaxing in the coming months, I need some reading material. There are two books by Tom Robbins that I'd love to have. The one is Another Roadside Attraction and the other just came out. I have no idea what it's called, but it would be the only one of his which has a 1995 copyright. As for payment, I'm hoping to get my last check from Jasmine’s in Orono soon (I sent them a threatening letter). When (if) it comes, you guys can have it. If not, we'll figure something out.

The last favor I wanted to ask is maybe you can record “A Prairie Home Companion” every once in a while and send it to me. It's healthy for a baby when you've got lots of lots to laugh about.

Oops! I was wrong. One more favor. I'd love to have the CD Heaven or Las Vegas from the Cocktail Twins. Don't bother to try secondhand shops it won't be there.

I think Stefan must have had a wonderful birthday. He got some great gifts: Olivia, the goat who doesn't yet give milk because she's never kidded, a fountain pen, marble bookends, and a coffee mug (one of those thermos ones that are impossible to find here) from The Store, the cafe/health food store in Orono where we always went for coffee. And he had a great party too. We played games (horseshoes / throwing hatchets- you know the usual mountain man birthday party games) sang songs for hours and eight very well. We roasted a whole lamb over the fire (which are Parisian guests prepared) and had lots of other creative non-meat items (you know the usual stuff that Gary would never touch).  It went from 4 in the afternoon until 1 o'clock in the morning. A success!

By the way you might want to check your local Aldi for Ta-da!! Christmas stollen! We bought our first one for this year today and it tastes wonderful!

Some more good news I got an offer to work my own market (for the olive company). I go there for the first time on Saturday to train, but then my day to work the stand will be Wednesdays (the market takes place two times a week). It's a relatively small market (30 or 40 stands) but I was proud to get the offer.

We will be moving into our new dwelling in two to three weeks. Everything is finished except for the floor tiles and painting. For the past two months, we've been busy working on the renovation which was very thorough. I've been documenting the steps with photos and will send you some when it's all finished.

So, I will close now. Rest assured we are both very happy with our latest development and are full of anticipation. Greet everyone for us!

Love,

 Julie and Stefan