Queen's Day Weekend

Miscellaneous thoughts to share with you this Queen's Day weekend (3 days!):

* Wedding plans coming along OK... still a week left for Dutch RSVPs to come in and the numbers are a little bit low... please hurry and get your reply cards in ASAP! Thanks! Things are coming along a little bit better in the U.S. where people are more accustomed to RSVPing.
* Our garden is glorious. Wilbert and I gave it a good clean-up and planted some new clematis vines a few weeks ago, so it's looking snazzy. The lilacs (white, lavendar and dark purple) are in full bloom and looking fabulous, and we also put in a new fence with the neighbors during Easter weekend. We barbequed for the first time this season last night (hamburgers) and the weather has been unbelievably good for April in Holland.
* Can't say too much, but I am very satisfied with my annual performance appraisal and salary increase this year. I had been unhappy with this in the past (for the first time in my carreer - this is not usually my primary driver), so now I can leave it behind and move on.
* This is also the year that I lose a significant expatriate tax benefit, so I will as a result of my boss's generosity at least end the year even or slightly ahead of this year.
* We scored an amazing deal on our long stay in Washington D.C. during the wedding: Combining points and miles, we are getting a $45 per night rate at the hotel for 9 nights! If you are a Starwood Preferred Guest member, check into it at SPG.com.
* Only about five weeks until our (first) big day!