and over the moon about this...
Sunday, July 20, 2008
We will now pause for a little geek out.
Yes ,we are in Africa and yes, we are having amazing experiences ... but I'm still really excited about this...
and over the moon about this...
and over the moon about this...
Thursday, July 17, 2008
OMG we're in Africa
Hello Everyone,
Lance and I have arrived in Botswana and are checking in at the embassy. While he is running (literally I think) around to get all the right signatures I'll bring you a little up to date.
The flights were long but doable. We switched seats with some very generous fellow travelers and we able to sit next to each other the entire way.
Orlando to Atlanta we slept. Atlanta to (7.5 hours) Dakar, Senegal we watched a few movies.
(21 - fun movie, The Other Bolin Sister - great costumes, the Henry the 8th character was underdeveloped), Dakar to Johannesburg (9 hours) we watched another movie (Jumper- crap ending, good scenery) and slept. Johannesburg to Gaborone (1 hour) we slept. We were met at the airport by a member of embassy staff who got us squared away at a local hotel.
Funny T.I.A. (this is Africa) stories, one of my suitcases didn't quite make it and won't be delivered until later this evening. Of course this is the suitcase will my more professional clothing so I'm looking a little mix and match while meeting everyone at the embassy today. Lance has his luggage and looks fabulous the big jerk. : ) I understand lost luggage is an Africa rite of passage so we are right on schedule. As are the crummy embassy pass photos and we got that done at 9am. That's 2am in Florida for those of you keeping score. Next time you feel like having a giggle, take a 7, then 9 hour flight, loose your luggage with matching clothing and hair products, get 4 ish hours of sleep, then have your photo taken. Real cute let me tell you.
Another story: when we arrived at the hotel last night the electricity was out. This happens all over town on a regular basis and people plan for it with candles/lamps. We had neither so were glad when the electricity came back on mid check-in.
Last story is not so much a story as it is a running count. Day 1 and neither of us are sick yet! We had local food for lunch so here's crossing our fingers for Day 2.
So that is all the new news. The adventure begins. : )
Love to everyone,
Lance and Kristin
P.S. Hey quilt people! It looks like I'm going to be the new point of contact for a blanket distribution program. It does get very cold here at night and is actually colder inside the stone houses than out. I'm still getting the details but at first glance it looks like a good program. I'm especially interested in working something out with a local womens' shelter. So please keep it in the back of your minds. I'll let you know the details when I've checked everything out. (hugs)
Lance and I have arrived in Botswana and are checking in at the embassy. While he is running (literally I think) around to get all the right signatures I'll bring you a little up to date.
The flights were long but doable. We switched seats with some very generous fellow travelers and we able to sit next to each other the entire way.
Orlando to Atlanta we slept. Atlanta to (7.5 hours) Dakar, Senegal we watched a few movies.
(21 - fun movie, The Other Bolin Sister - great costumes, the Henry the 8th character was underdeveloped), Dakar to Johannesburg (9 hours) we watched another movie (Jumper- crap ending, good scenery) and slept. Johannesburg to Gaborone (1 hour) we slept. We were met at the airport by a member of embassy staff who got us squared away at a local hotel.
Funny T.I.A. (this is Africa) stories, one of my suitcases didn't quite make it and won't be delivered until later this evening. Of course this is the suitcase will my more professional clothing so I'm looking a little mix and match while meeting everyone at the embassy today. Lance has his luggage and looks fabulous the big jerk. : ) I understand lost luggage is an Africa rite of passage so we are right on schedule. As are the crummy embassy pass photos and we got that done at 9am. That's 2am in Florida for those of you keeping score. Next time you feel like having a giggle, take a 7, then 9 hour flight, loose your luggage with matching clothing and hair products, get 4 ish hours of sleep, then have your photo taken. Real cute let me tell you.
Another story: when we arrived at the hotel last night the electricity was out. This happens all over town on a regular basis and people plan for it with candles/lamps. We had neither so were glad when the electricity came back on mid check-in.
Last story is not so much a story as it is a running count. Day 1 and neither of us are sick yet! We had local food for lunch so here's crossing our fingers for Day 2.
So that is all the new news. The adventure begins. : )
Love to everyone,
Lance and Kristin
P.S. Hey quilt people! It looks like I'm going to be the new point of contact for a blanket distribution program. It does get very cold here at night and is actually colder inside the stone houses than out. I'm still getting the details but at first glance it looks like a good program. I'm especially interested in working something out with a local womens' shelter. So please keep it in the back of your minds. I'll let you know the details when I've checked everything out. (hugs)
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Monday, March 10, 2008
Point Lobos is the most gorgeous place on Earth!!
The title and pictures below say it all. Mom and I played hooky for half a day and it was well worth it. Janet, you were so right!!!!
It's a post op post!
Well the operation went very well. I was talking on the phone and typing an email only a few hours after getting home. I don't remember too much of what I said so ... if we spoke that afternoon - um - I take it back, your cooking is wonderful really, and I've never even been to the Watergate hotel so it wasn't me. : )
A little more drama than I expected in the operating room though. Turns out I had a pretty severe case of endometiosis. Very long story very short, this explains why I haven't been getting pregnant. The next step is to go on hormones for the next 6 months (creating a mini menopause) the try to get pregnant again. If I get pregnant, wahoo! If not, another operation to check things out, 6 more months of menopause hormones then in vitro fertilization. If by any chance some future child of mine is reading this blog, SEE THE @&$! WORK I PUT IN TO BRING YOU INTO THIS WORLD? Now go clean your room. And no cheating using the robot maid thingy.
It's funny. When we first started trying to get pregnant I was only sort of interested in having a baby. More doing it out of obligation due to my age. 2 years later I am really really really really really really ready to have a baby thank you very much. All for the best I suppose.
So now it's time to refocus and move towards moving. The packers come on Wednesday and I still need to separate the Africa bound and consumables shipment from the permanent storage stuff. Thankfully I've finished the exchange blocks for my New Jersey quilting friends (HI GUYS!!!!!!! I miss you!!!) and they should arrive in time for their spring retreat. Here is a picture of all 12 beautiful (and more importantly, finished) blocks. Back to packing!
Monday, March 3, 2008
Workshop day
Today I had a workshop with totally awesome quilter, Rose Hughs. http://www.rosehughes.com/
And I would be happy to tell you all about the shapes exercise and the ravens and the freezer paper .... but I have a really big tension headache and can't take any #&$@ Motrin due to the surgery on Friday.
Drinking though is not a problem. Wahoo! So Lance if your reading this, the frozen strawberry margarita mix is all mine dude.
In the meanwhile, look at the pretty bubble thing I made in class.
And I would be happy to tell you all about the shapes exercise and the ravens and the freezer paper .... but I have a really big tension headache and can't take any #&$@ Motrin due to the surgery on Friday.
Drinking though is not a problem. Wahoo! So Lance if your reading this, the frozen strawberry margarita mix is all mine dude.
In the meanwhile, look at the pretty bubble thing I made in class.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Free Stuff!
So the yard sale was fantastic! My goal was to get rid of some clutter but this time get a monetary return rather than the karmic kick I get from donating to Goodwill. Plus it's fun. The shoppers were a riot and especially eager to shop when I told them I had plastic bags I give them with purchase. Those things are like gold on yard sale days and it really encouraged people to take a second look and my stuff.
At 11:30 though I was ready to leave (tons on the to do list) so I started yelling "FREE STUFF!" People came back, more stuff was taken and I only had one box to load into the truck. It was a good day.
Lessons learned:
1) Speaking Spanish is helpful if having a yard sale in California. However, speaking high school learned Spanglish will get you amused looks that seem to say, "Silly blond girl massacring my beautiful language. In retribution I will only offer her 50 cents for this shirt." And I'll probably give it to the for 75 cents because...
2) If you try to make money in a yard sale, you won't. My neighbors in the next stall over found this out the hard way and are probably still loading their vehicle. I on the other hand was out of there in 5 minutes and did pretty darn well on the financial side. But...
3) You've heard things described as "so bad you can't give it away?" Around here that apparently includes perfectly lovely flannel sheets. Fine. Back on my couch they go. My dog thinks their swell and I think they are easy to wash. Your loss California! There mine now. Don't you feel sorry?
At 11:30 though I was ready to leave (tons on the to do list) so I started yelling "FREE STUFF!" People came back, more stuff was taken and I only had one box to load into the truck. It was a good day.
Lessons learned:
1) Speaking Spanish is helpful if having a yard sale in California. However, speaking high school learned Spanglish will get you amused looks that seem to say, "Silly blond girl massacring my beautiful language. In retribution I will only offer her 50 cents for this shirt." And I'll probably give it to the for 75 cents because...
2) If you try to make money in a yard sale, you won't. My neighbors in the next stall over found this out the hard way and are probably still loading their vehicle. I on the other hand was out of there in 5 minutes and did pretty darn well on the financial side. But...
3) You've heard things described as "so bad you can't give it away?" Around here that apparently includes perfectly lovely flannel sheets. Fine. Back on my couch they go. My dog thinks their swell and I think they are easy to wash. Your loss California! There mine now. Don't you feel sorry?
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