Incommunicado

Terri here... sitting in an internet cafe. We woke up this morning to find the laptop fried. It would not come on at all. I did a little troubleshooting and think that it is actually the power cord/power supply and not the computer (keeping my fingers crossed). Jharkhan took the power supply to a "shop" to have it fixed. They confirmed it was bad and they think they can fix it... I hope so!

In the meantime, we are still in the dark about our boys' visas and our departure from Kazakhstan. Vika tried to call Yuliya in Ust to have her explain to me what was going on and when she handed me the phone, Yuliya hung up on me!!! What a b****! It is suspected that they do not have the money to process the boys visas and that the $800 we "loaned" them last week was used for something else. So going to the Embassy on Thursday is now out of the question. We can only hope and pray that they will come in tomorrow or Wednesday or we're out of luck as far as leaving Almaty this week.

Fortunately, the Woods were supposed to have their Embassy appointment today and leave tonight. We are praying for them... they have been in Kazakhstan a total of 62 days. They are wonderful people and make a beautiful family. We had lunch with them yesterday and have some wonderful photos of all of us and our translators and drivers, but that post and those photos are saved on the laptop. We'll try to get those uploaded next chance we get.

My father is doing better and is home now... thank you to everyone who was concerned and sent the comments and emails of support. We are still desperate to get home to our family because we know it is hard on them to have us gone so long and to have to look after our home and dogs.

Today was another sweltering day in Almaty. We have to open all the windows to keep from sweating to death. And, all we packed was sweaters and boots, after all, it was snowing and subfreezing when we arrive here just last Monday. Now it has to be in the 80s. We were so desperate we had Vika and Jharkhan take us shopping for some better clothes and found some t-shirts for Steve and so short sleeved tops, capri pants and sandals for me. Thank goodness... I thought I was going to melt into a puddle!

That's it for now... I know Vika and Jharkhan are probably anxious to call it a day... it is after dark already. And, since I left Steve alone at the apartment with the two boys I had better get back and make sure nothing has exploded!

Thanks again to everyone for all the terrific comments and email of support!