almost ...

we are THIS close to signing the agreement on a fantastic flat.  i have pictures, but don't want to post them until it's a done deal.  there have been too many last-minute changes, surprises, and reversals of promises for me to feel confident, yet.  but the final language should be arriving in my inbox any minute ... and if the owner can just stick to what he's said this time, we'll be moving into a big, light-filled, private and quiet, modern place with a balcony, 3rd bedroom, and unfettered access to a rooftop terrace!  eeeee!  i'm giddy.

ok.  that's enough of that.  no jinxing it, now.  it's just that we need to be out of our current place in 11 days.  so the pressure is on, and if we can work this one out, we'll both be MUCH happier ...  as everything else we've seen pales in comparison in terms of ... well, everything!

... and, we've actually found a broker we really, really, really like.  she's normal, tough, down-to-earth, a fighter, owns a car, and is HONEST.  she is the only one of her breed in this city, and we're stoked we have her.

the pigeon fetuses are gone.  two days after posting those pictures, i woke up and checked on them.  one was missing, and the other was smashed, yellow yolk all over the concrete.  ew.  i don't know if the mother felt unsafe there and killed them, or if the crows smelled competition and attacked.  

sara's living with us now.  you may remember her from blogs past.  she's one of our favorite people here, and has been an invaluable friend.  so when she said she needed a room for the gap between one lease and the next, we were happy to give her the 3rd bedroom.  especially since she shares her very expensive french wine and cheese and foie gras and truffles with us!