Oh my goodness! I must say, it is really lovely to see Hebrew letters on this page, but Star, I hate to disappoint you, but it came out as gobbledigook. Please write it again because I would love to see what you are saying in Hebrew. ThreeShadows and Nancy, you really made me laugh "dittoing" it.
You are all very kind thinking of us. Because I am very careful to keep the rules of our "family" I am not going to comment in any way on what is going on in the South of Israel and in Gaza. Although of course I do have very strong opinions, but I shall keep them to myself.
Actually, besides worrying about the grandsons in the army, my family is very very busy at the moment organising a surprise 70th birthday party for my husband. I say "surprise," but I know he knows something is "up." It's going to be on Thursday evening, we have hired a small hall, we are self-catering it, and it is a lot of work and organisation. My kids are supposed to be organising it, but a lot of the work is falling on me (and also a lot of the funding). Tomorrow my husband is out all day long, from 7 in the morning until 4, and that is my opportunity to get my cooking and baking done for "the party." 45 of the invitees are our children and grandchildren etc. (although a couple won't be there -- they won't let them out of the army for that!!), and the rest are friends of husband's. We will be between 70 and 80 people, and the children have prepared a whole programme for the evening, and one of my daughters has done one of those beautiful computer albums which they will present to him. 70 pages of photographs and messages! I can't wait to see it. I just hope no work comes pouring in, because I've cleared my desk and should be free to prepare stuff (when husband isn't around!).
Amazing -- I think difficult child (in Australia for almost two years now) is actually sorry not to be around for this festivity. He is in constant contact with us and with his siblings on our mobile phones on the WhatsApp group (which is free), and also on Skype. I think the time is coming near to update about him, but not here. He is doing OK on the other side of the world.
OK, I'm going to bed (it's 2:15 in the morning).
Love, Esther