And we're online...

Wow, that seemed to take forever. We're finally hooked up to the internet. Our apologies for missed emails and events. I promise to have pictures up soon so you all can have a look around.

The movers came yesterday with our sea shipment. So far everything has made it over on this shipment. Some things a little worse for the wear but (knock wood) it seems to be all here. We're learning our way around the supermarket and dinners are starting to resemble their american counterparts. I found tomato paste on my last outing to San Cugat.

We met another family who moved the same time we did. They have two boys, one is 10 the other 7. It's great to have some one to share this experience with. Nancy and I were out exploring San Cugat together when I found the tomato paste. She also gave me a box of confectioner sugar. They aren't big on baking here.

The kids started school last week. They love it. Joe is really enjoying switching classes and teachers now that he is in 6th grade. Andrea said she can't wait to go to school every morning. Of course, we're only on day 5. I'm guessing eventually that might change. She also said that she wished she could bring all her friends over because that would make it "absolutely perfect". Alexa has made friends with *all* the girls in the 7th grade. There are only 7 of them so she's got it under control. Jess was a bit disappointed to be one of two girls on the first day of class. Still, there is going to be 5 girls and 10 boys eventually. Can you imagine? The last time one of my kids only had 15 kids in a class it was my CCD class. I love it. Everyone is very welcoming. We've had several calls from Moms offering help should we need it. And the bus is great. First of all it's a charter bus the kids ride every day. But, in the morning it's great for me because the American Moms congregate at the stop and chat a little while before going their separate ways.

The puppies had a visit to the local vet/groomer. Aside from a lengthy conversation through a translator regarding the legality of our microchips, American microchips run on a lower frequency hence have less numbers on the scanner, hence don't have enough numbers to plug into a bureaucratic machines paperwork, it went well. They got a very nice haircut and the groomers were especially friendly to Mischief. The puppies are adapting to our new neighborhood. They are less nervous about going for walks and all the dog barking that happens here, (think 101 dalmations and the dog network)

Our phone wasn't working. I know we had some family try to call and it wouldn't go through. Telefonica was here today and they say it's fixed. The sound seems to come through stronger anyway. Please email me or comment here if you still can't get through. Email me if you want our phone number. I've done everything I can think of to keep this blog from search engines and strangers but you never know with cyber space so I don't want to put it here.

I've learned that it's the little things that can drive you crazy and start me thinking about packing my bags and heading home: Laundry taking two hours to wash, phones that don't work, street signs that don't make sense. But it's also the little things that make it all better, an offer of help, a quick chat at the bus stop, someone saving a seat for you on the bus, a phone call with request for a playdate, tomato paste and confectioners sugar. So far, the good outweighs the annoying.

I promise to have pictures up soon.
love and miss you all!!!

We've arrived...

Flight 120 to Barcelona landed safely with all 6 Ruotolos and 2 little puppies all safe and sound. We've had some adventures in getting settled, waiting 4 hours at the airport to get our puppies, Broken washing machine, missing air shipments (rumor has it we'll get it tomorrow). We've had a successful trip to Ikea to make the house a bit more liveable until our shipments arrive. The kids all pitched in to help put the furniture together. Please don't mention the crooked drawers when you come to visit.

Andrea though has successfully ordered the family a steak dinner when we went out to dinner, which ended with a slight peanut scare. Note: Chocolate desserts tend to have peanuts in them. We've learned that we need to ask before we order the dessert if it has Cacahuetes in it.

Rumor has it the missing air shipment will arrive tomorrow. Our sea shipment should be on it's heels early next week. The kids start school on Tuesday. We're all looking forward to that day.

We want to send out a super huge thanks to those who made our last weeks in Hopkinton and NJ easier and fun. We miss you all already.

hasta la vista!

This is Joe

Today I'm leaving for New Jersey to see my best friend Mitchel Toran. I am so exited I haven't seen him in 1 year. I miss hanging out with him in the summer but I cant any more because I am moving to Spain.I hope all my friends visit me in Spain. Lately I have had braces but just a couple days ago I got them off.I love to smile and now I feel more comfortable without braces, but I have to wear a plastic retaner until I get the real one and I can only take it off when I am eating and when I am brushing my teeth. It's a drag having such messed up teeth.

Pic spam and What is Seny y rauxa anyway?

Practicing pictures...

The moment we've all been waiting for!!!

Andrea and Joe without braces!

Andrea's bright big smile...

Joe without his braces!!

So, about now you are probably wondering what is with the title of our blog. Barcelona is located in the Catalan region of Spain. It's in the northeast section close to France. They are a rather independent sort who have a lot of local pride. They even speak their own language. This poses an interesting challenge when we're out and about. First we have to figure out whether someone is speaking in Catalan or Spanish. Then we have to translate. Catalan is sort of a hybred of Spanish and French. For instance, "good day" is "Bon Dia" in Catalan, "Buenas Dias" in Spanish and "Bon Jour" in French. Anyway, I'm digressing.

In one of my many travel books it talks about this Catalan phrase, seny y rauxa. It refers to two emotions that guide the Catalan people. Seny is common sense, a sense of orderliness. And rauxa is described as a creative chaos. As soon as I heard that translation I thought, this is the place for us. Mostly because our family is all about creative chaos. I'm not sure we're all that organized or abounding in common sense but we've certainly got the rauxa covered. So, I thought it would be a good title for our little blog. Hopefully we can mix a little common sense with our creative chaos and live a good life in Spain.

The guy is here to pack our air shipment. Yep, you read that right, one guy. Poor man, someone misinformed or packing company regarding the amount of the shipment. They are calling in reinforcements but we're not sure it's going to happen. It's going to be an interesting day. The computer is getting packed. We should have a lap top that works to access the internet. But, if I disappear on you all for a week or two it's because we're moving.

Hasta la vista, amigos!

And so it begins.

Several months ago Nick approached me with the idea of moving to Barcelona, Spain. Seeing as it had only been a few years since we last moved, among many promises that this was the absolute last move until the kids graduated from high school, I said no. My biggest concern was the kids adjusting to a whole new enviroment. It seemed like a lot to ask of them. But, we went ahead and asked the kids what they thought and to both of our surprise the kids were enthusiastically for the move. And thus started a brand new stage of our life.
As usual, I started this venture by going out and buying a half a dozen travel books on Spain and Barcelona. It truly is a beautiful city with so much culture and art. Not to mention is sits on the Mediterranean. Hello, Europe...here we come.
We're all very excited about learning Spanish, visiting all the countries in Europe, and having a chance to experience what it like to live in another country. What we're all having a harder time with is leaving behind so many great friends and family members. We've invited you all to visit, and we're serious, please come. But, until that day comes we wanted a place where we could connect on a regular basis. That is where this blog comes in. I'm new to this particular blog so please bear with me and my learning curve. Feel free to comment and stop by as you can. I'll be posting pictures of our happenings to keep you updated. It'll be like we never left. (Although, a little more quiet on your end.)
We'll be in Spain the week of the 18th. I'm not sure how long it takes to get the internet connection up and going but I'll update this as soon as I can.