The rain stopped!!! Woohoo!!!
It rained all morning and most of the afternoon but now it's only partly cloudy. Life is good!
Friends of our came by this morning after doing a little house hunting. Their boys are thrilled to be here every time - it's heaven for them to be out of the hotel for a few hours! Mary and I went down the street to a lady's house who was having a sale of her sewing/craft products. I bought some wonderful Easter items - now to keep them "under cover" for a week!
We left the kids and headed out for an adult lunch. Had the best hamburger I've had in a very long time - the beef is amazing here! Chatted for a couple of hours over lunch then headed back here.
Our landlord came by to check out some leaks that surfaced over the last two soaking-wet weeks. He's a great guy and remains very responsive to anything we ask/report.
Nicole is going to a nightclub tonight!! Isn't that horrible?? Her girlfriend's mom rented the VIP room of a bar nearby and is having 20 couples there to celebrate her husband's birthday. She allowed her daughter to invite 7 friends to hang out as well. This is a very protective family - we've met the mom a few times and she's just as cautious as we are with her baby girl. She called and spoke to John this morning - even he's reassured that this is all well-organized and the kids will be closely monitored. So, horrible but really cool! LOL
Okay...I still can't believe my baby's going "clubbing"!!!! AHHHH!
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Friday, March 30, 2007
Rain, Rain Go Away!!
It hasn't stopped raining in two weeks. Well, it feels that way!
Roads are flooded, there's no dog walkers or pool guys to be found and our lawn is two feet tall. Our security guy is closeted up in his shack...rain, rain, rain. Thankfully with a 4WD vehicle, I'm not stuck here. John and I went to some electronic shops to get stuff for the electrician (who can't finish the job 'cause it's RAINING!) then to EASY (our version of Home Depot) to grab some other stuff. It was a nice time to spend together - I do love it that he has Fridays off.
Jake was optimistic - he left this morning with his tennis racket in hand. Poor baby, sorry for his luck!
I had another lunch out yesterday with another group of ladies - very nice! Then I ventured to get more bills paid, I couldn't bear to give John anymore of those duties. Thankfully I was eventually successful - two trips, about an hour and a half total.
Spanish lessons are going full blast ahead. My brain is turning to mush but I think we're getting somewhere. Jake is still enthusiastic, she kept it down to 45 minutes for him so as not to overwhelm him.
Leftovers for dinner last night so I either need to cook or find delivery somewhere for tonight!! :-) That's an easy choice! LOL
Ciao!!
Roads are flooded, there's no dog walkers or pool guys to be found and our lawn is two feet tall. Our security guy is closeted up in his shack...rain, rain, rain. Thankfully with a 4WD vehicle, I'm not stuck here. John and I went to some electronic shops to get stuff for the electrician (who can't finish the job 'cause it's RAINING!) then to EASY (our version of Home Depot) to grab some other stuff. It was a nice time to spend together - I do love it that he has Fridays off.
Jake was optimistic - he left this morning with his tennis racket in hand. Poor baby, sorry for his luck!
I had another lunch out yesterday with another group of ladies - very nice! Then I ventured to get more bills paid, I couldn't bear to give John anymore of those duties. Thankfully I was eventually successful - two trips, about an hour and a half total.
Spanish lessons are going full blast ahead. My brain is turning to mush but I think we're getting somewhere. Jake is still enthusiastic, she kept it down to 45 minutes for him so as not to overwhelm him.
Leftovers for dinner last night so I either need to cook or find delivery somewhere for tonight!! :-) That's an easy choice! LOL
Ciao!!
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Argentina Frustration
It's poor John's frustration...he's the one that has to deal with the insanity.
It is now 8:50 - John just got off the phone with the cell phone company. He first tried calling them at around 5:30. He was trying to pay three cell phone bills. He had to call from the actual phone, call three different numbers and talk to two different people because neither of them could do what the other could do. Then the actual payment had to be through the automated system. If that sounds confusing, imagine doing it all in another language!! Turns out the credit card number that John gave one of them was taken down wrong so he had to start all over again. He's about to have a stroke! Midway through he asked me if I thought it was the incompetence of the people or the system. I opted for the system but then we found out about the credit card number. Ooops.
My day was nice!! I wandered around the mall - it's huge so I didn't see a quarter of it. Had breakfast there then went and bought groceries. The maid had the house all clean by the time I returned plus she found some of my shirts to iron. Yeah, this rocks!
Groceries are pretty inexpensive here - we had a roasted free-range chicken/corn-on-the-cob/sauteed fresh spinach with onions & mushrooms for about $10. Obviously I felt like cooking today.
I'd better go pour John some wine! LOL
Salud!
It is now 8:50 - John just got off the phone with the cell phone company. He first tried calling them at around 5:30. He was trying to pay three cell phone bills. He had to call from the actual phone, call three different numbers and talk to two different people because neither of them could do what the other could do. Then the actual payment had to be through the automated system. If that sounds confusing, imagine doing it all in another language!! Turns out the credit card number that John gave one of them was taken down wrong so he had to start all over again. He's about to have a stroke! Midway through he asked me if I thought it was the incompetence of the people or the system. I opted for the system but then we found out about the credit card number. Ooops.
My day was nice!! I wandered around the mall - it's huge so I didn't see a quarter of it. Had breakfast there then went and bought groceries. The maid had the house all clean by the time I returned plus she found some of my shirts to iron. Yeah, this rocks!
Groceries are pretty inexpensive here - we had a roasted free-range chicken/corn-on-the-cob/sauteed fresh spinach with onions & mushrooms for about $10. Obviously I felt like cooking today.
I'd better go pour John some wine! LOL
Salud!
Monday, March 26, 2007
My Star
Lisette was very happy when she got off of the bus today! Last week she auditioned for a student-led play at her school. Today, she found out she got the part of Helena in "A Midsummer Night's Dream"!! Very exciting!! Thankfully, or otherwise, she has decided that she doesn't want to become an actress after all. Stay tuned for more on that as time goes by!
Jake had a swimming lesson after school. When I picked him up he told me that there was a giant wave coming to Buenos Aires and we were all going to die. He was quite excited about this. He did mutter something about his short eight years not being so great. I took offense to that! He insisted we look up the news online about this giant wave...surprisingly, the AP doesn't seem to have picked it up. That wasn't enough for Jake to find any hope of seeing tomorrow although he was talked out of sleeping in the attic. I have a weird kid.
So we're all sleeping in our own beds...hope I don't get too soggy during the night!
Jake had a swimming lesson after school. When I picked him up he told me that there was a giant wave coming to Buenos Aires and we were all going to die. He was quite excited about this. He did mutter something about his short eight years not being so great. I took offense to that! He insisted we look up the news online about this giant wave...surprisingly, the AP doesn't seem to have picked it up. That wasn't enough for Jake to find any hope of seeing tomorrow although he was talked out of sleeping in the attic. I have a weird kid.
So we're all sleeping in our own beds...hope I don't get too soggy during the night!
Roller Coaster Weekend
Saturday morning was quiet. Then the girls had to go to their soccer game.
John, Jake and I headed to the stores - John to "Home Depot" and Jake and I to "WalMart". It was nuts! We've vowed never again to venture to the stores on a weekend. Jake did get a tennis racket though.
Nicole had a friend spend the night on Saturday - they ordered McDonalds delivery for dinner! Awesome! John and I went out for dinner, he needed a daquiri after the shopping fiasco. :-)
We tried out another church this Sunday. I liked it a lot more than the other one we tried. Seems like that was the consensus of the family too.
Spent the rest of Sunday working around the house. John is being quite the handyman these days. He hung/fixed four sets of lights plus hung a bunch of the pictures I'd set out. I worked on organizing the kids' DVDs and videos. Laundry's done and Jake got Shepherd's Pie for dinner - he's been asking for weeks.
Hope you're weekend was productive too!
John, Jake and I headed to the stores - John to "Home Depot" and Jake and I to "WalMart". It was nuts! We've vowed never again to venture to the stores on a weekend. Jake did get a tennis racket though.
Nicole had a friend spend the night on Saturday - they ordered McDonalds delivery for dinner! Awesome! John and I went out for dinner, he needed a daquiri after the shopping fiasco. :-)
We tried out another church this Sunday. I liked it a lot more than the other one we tried. Seems like that was the consensus of the family too.
Spent the rest of Sunday working around the house. John is being quite the handyman these days. He hung/fixed four sets of lights plus hung a bunch of the pictures I'd set out. I worked on organizing the kids' DVDs and videos. Laundry's done and Jake got Shepherd's Pie for dinner - he's been asking for weeks.
Hope you're weekend was productive too!
Friday, March 23, 2007
Quiet Day
The kids head for school early so I just got up in time to send them off on the bus. It had stopped raining so the dog walker was likely to show so I waited for him - as soon as he left with Buddy I headed back to bed...for THREE hours! I have got to start going to bed earlier! Last night it was past midnight before my head hit a pillow.
John and I walked down into town for lunch, checked out a few stores then headed home. Jumped into the car and headed to a light store. We love this house but it needs a little updating, especially in the lighting. Things are relatively cheap here so we're putting our own money into it - to a degree. We knew what we wanted but going shopping here is a very lengthy process. We fairly quickly chose the lights we wanted but that was only a small fraction of the time required. First, getting the attention of the salesperson. Not an easy task. We just kind of stood around, looking "ready" - it took about ten minutes before someone approached us. This is a very small store, with two other customers and three sales persons. The gentleman then chatted with John about California for about fifteen minutes. It took about ten more minutes to find out if the lights were in stock. Then another ten minutes to find light shades that would fit, their first selection was not what we wanted. There was unpacking/packing/unpacking/repacking to be done. John spent most of the time switching different lights on and off. The process of picking out (fifteen minutes) and buying two sets of lights took us almost two hours. Plus transit time. Good thing we weren't in a hurry!
Jake had another tennis lesson today - he's really enjoying it. John offered to buy him a tennis racket...looks like we'll be shopping again tomorrow! Uh Oh.
John and I walked down into town for lunch, checked out a few stores then headed home. Jumped into the car and headed to a light store. We love this house but it needs a little updating, especially in the lighting. Things are relatively cheap here so we're putting our own money into it - to a degree. We knew what we wanted but going shopping here is a very lengthy process. We fairly quickly chose the lights we wanted but that was only a small fraction of the time required. First, getting the attention of the salesperson. Not an easy task. We just kind of stood around, looking "ready" - it took about ten minutes before someone approached us. This is a very small store, with two other customers and three sales persons. The gentleman then chatted with John about California for about fifteen minutes. It took about ten more minutes to find out if the lights were in stock. Then another ten minutes to find light shades that would fit, their first selection was not what we wanted. There was unpacking/packing/unpacking/repacking to be done. John spent most of the time switching different lights on and off. The process of picking out (fifteen minutes) and buying two sets of lights took us almost two hours. Plus transit time. Good thing we weren't in a hurry!
Jake had another tennis lesson today - he's really enjoying it. John offered to buy him a tennis racket...looks like we'll be shopping again tomorrow! Uh Oh.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Newcomer's Adventure
There's a Newcomer's Group that meets just three times but they cover lots of useful info like - paying bills(yeah!), choosing meat at the grocery store (yum!) and avoiding getting mugged (bonus!) Today, we met and toured the business area near my house and then took the train to Belgrano, a suburb of Buenos Aires.
I'm thrilled with this area - we're plenty close to a lot of great shops/cafes but our neighbourhood is very, very quiet. So it was fun to find some new places to check out and have the shoe repair shop pointed out, etc. etc.
Chinatown (really China Street) is in Belgrano and we had an awesome Chinese food lunch. The ladies in the group are super friendly, it was a very international group too - Americans, Canadians, German, Danish, Asian (from Laos, I think).
So now I know how to take the train - exceedingly easy but I didn't know that until I went! I also bought a good map book at the "Kiosco" near the station.
The Spanish tutor had just arrived as I was walking up to the house. Class went well and Jake jumped right in when it was his turn. When I introduced them he immediately responded in confident Spanish - too cute!!
Nicole went to the doctor after I picked the girls up from soccer. Her back has been bothering her for quite some time. The doctor diagnosed it as a sciatic problem and suggested rest/warmth/ibuprofen as well as stretching. Thankfully, said doctor speaks English and takes our medical insurance.
Busy day - now I'm ready for bed!
BTW, our phone is definitely working now. John had set it up to forward to his old cell phone number!! AHHHH! :-)
I'm thrilled with this area - we're plenty close to a lot of great shops/cafes but our neighbourhood is very, very quiet. So it was fun to find some new places to check out and have the shoe repair shop pointed out, etc. etc.
Chinatown (really China Street) is in Belgrano and we had an awesome Chinese food lunch. The ladies in the group are super friendly, it was a very international group too - Americans, Canadians, German, Danish, Asian (from Laos, I think).
So now I know how to take the train - exceedingly easy but I didn't know that until I went! I also bought a good map book at the "Kiosco" near the station.
The Spanish tutor had just arrived as I was walking up to the house. Class went well and Jake jumped right in when it was his turn. When I introduced them he immediately responded in confident Spanish - too cute!!
Nicole went to the doctor after I picked the girls up from soccer. Her back has been bothering her for quite some time. The doctor diagnosed it as a sciatic problem and suggested rest/warmth/ibuprofen as well as stretching. Thankfully, said doctor speaks English and takes our medical insurance.
Busy day - now I'm ready for bed!
BTW, our phone is definitely working now. John had set it up to forward to his old cell phone number!! AHHHH! :-)
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Cafe...
I had "Buddy and me" time today. I took him to the cafe as planned and it was lovely! The sun was shining, there was a table available right at the corner - best view - and he just peed a little on the shrub next to my seat. Then he curled up next to my chair and slept. This was his second walk in 3 hours after all. Three whole blocks!
There was a hairy moment when a dozen little sparrows descended on the sidewalk just behind Buddy to nibble on seeds/crumbs. I watched them for a minute or two, wondering if they were even aware there was a well-bred bird-hunter dog only inches away...but also concerned what damage Buddy would do to the table he was tied to if he decided he had to attack. Just as these worries were passing through my thoughts, Buddy lifted his head. He looked forward at the other diners then sideways at the storefront, then finally to the back and stared at the little birds. I braced myself for the possible lightening fast reflexes of a well-bred bird-hunter dog. Buddy turned away and went back to sleep. No dove hunting in his future!
The good news is, I guess we can go back there for lunch again!
There was a hairy moment when a dozen little sparrows descended on the sidewalk just behind Buddy to nibble on seeds/crumbs. I watched them for a minute or two, wondering if they were even aware there was a well-bred bird-hunter dog only inches away...but also concerned what damage Buddy would do to the table he was tied to if he decided he had to attack. Just as these worries were passing through my thoughts, Buddy lifted his head. He looked forward at the other diners then sideways at the storefront, then finally to the back and stared at the little birds. I braced myself for the possible lightening fast reflexes of a well-bred bird-hunter dog. Buddy turned away and went back to sleep. No dove hunting in his future!
The good news is, I guess we can go back there for lunch again!
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Fish Out of Water
Our family grew by two today. John bought Jake two Beta fish. I was never consulted, although I was present when the initial discussion took place in the pet store yesterday. I just wanted to buy Buddy more dog food.
So, we now have blue and beautiful Stitch the Second (Stitch the First was with us a few years back) and a lovely silver (?) Beta named Dorie. I'm going to leave it up to John to figure out what we do with these creatures come December. Beta fish are hardy but I don't think they fly well.
I managed to get a bill paid locally. Whew!! Again, not a big deal unless you don't speak the language and you're paying at the grocery store. The teller didn't want any part of my paper bill, no stamp, nada. That made me nervous and I double checked that she didn't want it. Nope. I'm keeping my register receipt super-glued to the bill! :-)
John played nice at school today. He text mailed me that he'd had breakfast with three Venezuelans! I'm so proud of my big boy!
Tomorrow looks like a quiet day. Maybe Buddy and I'll go for a walk down to the cafes! I'll keep you posted as always!
So, we now have blue and beautiful Stitch the Second (Stitch the First was with us a few years back) and a lovely silver (?) Beta named Dorie. I'm going to leave it up to John to figure out what we do with these creatures come December. Beta fish are hardy but I don't think they fly well.
I managed to get a bill paid locally. Whew!! Again, not a big deal unless you don't speak the language and you're paying at the grocery store. The teller didn't want any part of my paper bill, no stamp, nada. That made me nervous and I double checked that she didn't want it. Nope. I'm keeping my register receipt super-glued to the bill! :-)
John played nice at school today. He text mailed me that he'd had breakfast with three Venezuelans! I'm so proud of my big boy!
Tomorrow looks like a quiet day. Maybe Buddy and I'll go for a walk down to the cafes! I'll keep you posted as always!
Monday, March 19, 2007
Hablo, kind of.
I had my first Spanish class today! Well, they speak Castillano here - a dialect of Spanish. I didn't learn much, we just chatted and covered one verb that I was already familiar with. It's great to be started though.
The girls had a session with the Spanish tutor when I was done. She's going to be here four hours a week, two with me, an hour with the girls and an hour with Jake. When I say here, I do mean here at the house. Delivery, yes it's grand.
The dark side of customer service reared its ugly head when John and I tried to pay a bill at the grocery store. The service wouldn't connect. Typical. I'll try again tomorrow!
John had a frustrating day at school. He said he was biting his tongue so hard it should have been bleeding. He did correct the Professor at one point after he said that the Timothy McVeigh bombing was related to U.S. Bureaucracy. For the first time in over 18 yrs. of marriage, John had a beer when he got home. At four o'clock in the afternoon. You know it's bad when it's that bad!
I made an American meal for dinner - chicken pot pie!! Very Southern!!
We miss you!!!
The girls had a session with the Spanish tutor when I was done. She's going to be here four hours a week, two with me, an hour with the girls and an hour with Jake. When I say here, I do mean here at the house. Delivery, yes it's grand.
The dark side of customer service reared its ugly head when John and I tried to pay a bill at the grocery store. The service wouldn't connect. Typical. I'll try again tomorrow!
John had a frustrating day at school. He said he was biting his tongue so hard it should have been bleeding. He did correct the Professor at one point after he said that the Timothy McVeigh bombing was related to U.S. Bureaucracy. For the first time in over 18 yrs. of marriage, John had a beer when he got home. At four o'clock in the afternoon. You know it's bad when it's that bad!
I made an American meal for dinner - chicken pot pie!! Very Southern!!
We miss you!!!
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Pedicures...
I love pedicures. I don't particularly like my feet and pedicurists take their lives in their hands when they mess with my very ticklish pies (Spanish for feet - not apple). But I love pedicures!
I've now had two pedicures since landing down here. My toes are a beautiful deep, deep red tone. They don't often match my fingers because I prefer French manicures but I was in a red mood this week, so now they match.
Two strange things happened during my Argentinean pedicures - one wonderful and another...good but brow-raising. My pedicurist turned off the light and massaged my feet for about five drowsy minutes. Ahhhhhhh. This may not be unusual but it was a unique experience for me. The second thing that the pedicurists (with two different ladies at two different salons) did was pull out her Dremel power tool and sand down the bottom of my foot! It doesn't always feel good to have your foot sanded. Sanders get hot. There are heat sensitive areas down on your foot. Owwww! But my feet are nice and soft now!
I wonder if John would let me use his Dremel on his foot?? I think not.
I've now had two pedicures since landing down here. My toes are a beautiful deep, deep red tone. They don't often match my fingers because I prefer French manicures but I was in a red mood this week, so now they match.
Two strange things happened during my Argentinean pedicures - one wonderful and another...good but brow-raising. My pedicurist turned off the light and massaged my feet for about five drowsy minutes. Ahhhhhhh. This may not be unusual but it was a unique experience for me. The second thing that the pedicurists (with two different ladies at two different salons) did was pull out her Dremel power tool and sand down the bottom of my foot! It doesn't always feel good to have your foot sanded. Sanders get hot. There are heat sensitive areas down on your foot. Owwww! But my feet are nice and soft now!
I wonder if John would let me use his Dremel on his foot?? I think not.
Friday, March 16, 2007
Family Ties
I just read my Mom's blog - my dad's two sisters are visiting her down in Florida. As much as I love my adventurous life, there are times like this when my heart aches to be with family.
These crazy ladies are swapping stories of how silly and wonderful each other is. When I read it, I remember why I am who I am. I come from a long line of crazy, silly and wonderful women. Lucky, lucky me!! I surely hope my girls follow the tradition!! God Bless each of the silly and wonderful women in my family!
Besitos!
Shelley
These crazy ladies are swapping stories of how silly and wonderful each other is. When I read it, I remember why I am who I am. I come from a long line of crazy, silly and wonderful women. Lucky, lucky me!! I surely hope my girls follow the tradition!! God Bless each of the silly and wonderful women in my family!
Besitos!
Shelley
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Some Good...Some Not So
First and most importantly - I'm writing this on my computer!!!!! The Internet guys finally showed up!!! Woohoo!!
It's working great too!
This all happened while I was out of the house so what a relief. However (there always seems to be a "however" doesn't there?) they also installed a cable outlet in the attic. Fifteen feet from the TV and nowhere near an electric outlet. Why??? Why??? There's no answer for it. They're just like that.
So I'll just focus on the fact that I have Internet...I'm so happy!!
Then I'll start rearranging furniture and look for a really, really long extension cord. :-)
It's working great too!
This all happened while I was out of the house so what a relief. However (there always seems to be a "however" doesn't there?) they also installed a cable outlet in the attic. Fifteen feet from the TV and nowhere near an electric outlet. Why??? Why??? There's no answer for it. They're just like that.
So I'll just focus on the fact that I have Internet...I'm so happy!!
Then I'll start rearranging furniture and look for a really, really long extension cord. :-)
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Briv Brae Little Soldier
That was the mantra my sister Kim made up when we were going swimming on a cold winter morning - at a hotel - in Florida. Crazy Canucks!
I had to be brave this morning. It reminded me of the feeling I have when I'm buckling into a roller coaster seat. I wonder why I'm doing this to myself, encourage myself that it's going to be okay, consider the maintenance schedule...then, just remember to breathe! I had my first bikini wax today. Whew! Not so bad! LOL
So the news of Bolivia is still reverberating through the house. We found out our house will have 5 bedrooms and 4 floors. I'm still trying to focus on being here, now. BTW, La Paz is at extremely high altitude, so keep that in mind as you plan your trip to visit - I know you are!!! :-)
I've sent out some info requests for Spanish tutoring. Hopefully, that will begin next week. It's not too hard to manage with my pathetic vocabulary but I want to do more than just manage. I could probably get a job as a mime though, with all my experience!
Buddy's still taking time out of his dog walking. His toe seems to be healing fine, no signs of infection so far. His dog walker is very concerned about him - well, mostly the conversation was my stilted Spanish and strange mime acts, maybe he's just concerned about me!
I'm off to figure out how to order stuff from the Commissary. They don't sell bacon here except for three strips for about $3. My men (Jake must be included here) need their bacon!
Love ya!
Shelley
I had to be brave this morning. It reminded me of the feeling I have when I'm buckling into a roller coaster seat. I wonder why I'm doing this to myself, encourage myself that it's going to be okay, consider the maintenance schedule...then, just remember to breathe! I had my first bikini wax today. Whew! Not so bad! LOL
So the news of Bolivia is still reverberating through the house. We found out our house will have 5 bedrooms and 4 floors. I'm still trying to focus on being here, now. BTW, La Paz is at extremely high altitude, so keep that in mind as you plan your trip to visit - I know you are!!! :-)
I've sent out some info requests for Spanish tutoring. Hopefully, that will begin next week. It's not too hard to manage with my pathetic vocabulary but I want to do more than just manage. I could probably get a job as a mime though, with all my experience!
Buddy's still taking time out of his dog walking. His toe seems to be healing fine, no signs of infection so far. His dog walker is very concerned about him - well, mostly the conversation was my stilted Spanish and strange mime acts, maybe he's just concerned about me!
I'm off to figure out how to order stuff from the Commissary. They don't sell bacon here except for three strips for about $3. My men (Jake must be included here) need their bacon!
Love ya!
Shelley
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Better
My bottom is healing. The bruise is the size of a football but it's not so dark anymore. Okay, maybe not a football, but it's big!
We had company for dinner on Saturday and they both thought the house looked like we'd been settled for months...I think it was a compliment! LOL The only thing left to do is finish unpacking the kids' room in the attic and hang pictures.
I hate to be redundant but having a full-time maid is so incredibly awesome! I finish unpacking in a room and while I'm working in another area, the rooms I've finished stay clean!!! How cool is that?? Plus, we never have dirty clothes. Never. The tricky part of that is I'm sure I'm wearing the same clothes every other day!
John started school yesterday. He's already fallen in with the wrong crowd. His words actually. I told him to behave and get along with his other classmates but I forgot to remind him not to pick smart asses for friends (again, his words)! I'm glad he's enjoying himself!
Today I'm running over to the kids' school to pay their lunch bill then to the big grocery store (think Super WalMart) to pay house bills and get some food. Delivery still rocks but they don't open until 8 PM!
Besitos!
We had company for dinner on Saturday and they both thought the house looked like we'd been settled for months...I think it was a compliment! LOL The only thing left to do is finish unpacking the kids' room in the attic and hang pictures.
I hate to be redundant but having a full-time maid is so incredibly awesome! I finish unpacking in a room and while I'm working in another area, the rooms I've finished stay clean!!! How cool is that?? Plus, we never have dirty clothes. Never. The tricky part of that is I'm sure I'm wearing the same clothes every other day!
John started school yesterday. He's already fallen in with the wrong crowd. His words actually. I told him to behave and get along with his other classmates but I forgot to remind him not to pick smart asses for friends (again, his words)! I'm glad he's enjoying himself!
Today I'm running over to the kids' school to pay their lunch bill then to the big grocery store (think Super WalMart) to pay house bills and get some food. Delivery still rocks but they don't open until 8 PM!
Besitos!
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Hazards
Today - I should have stayed in bed! :-)
It started off quite innocently. Jake and his buddy Manny were playing and watching TV and I made them breakfast. Nothing sinister there. Lisette eventually woke up and made us more breakfast - she's the Pancake Queen of this house.
When Jake and Manny decided to venture to the attic to play, I found Buddy waiting patiently for them at the bottom of the circular staircase that leads up to the attic. "Hey!" I thought "Why don't I help Buddy get up those stairs so he can hang out with the boys?" Bad move, oh, so bad a move! Buddy whimpered a little and I coaxed him about a third of the way up. He's a bit of a wimp you know. Well, then full panic hit him and he scrambled back down with a vengeance. I figured, fine, I'd just have to help him back down anyway.
Buddy followed me to my room and I noticed a few minutes after I had kicked him out that there was quite a bit of blood spotted on the floor. I called downstairs to John to check Buddy's paws. The scramble down the metal steps had caught his toenail and was causing the bleeding. No major damage but there was blood drippings through the bedroom and down the main stairs.
John asked me to come and check out Buddy myself so down I skipped. Then down I went. OWWWWW! Blood is slippery by the way. I have a huge bruise on my elbow, a smaller bruise on my side and a gigantic (how is there room, you ask??) bruise on my butt. Falling down stairs is incredibly painful.
I've spent the majority of the day in bed - where I should have stayed to begin with! :-)
Midol, take me away!
It started off quite innocently. Jake and his buddy Manny were playing and watching TV and I made them breakfast. Nothing sinister there. Lisette eventually woke up and made us more breakfast - she's the Pancake Queen of this house.
When Jake and Manny decided to venture to the attic to play, I found Buddy waiting patiently for them at the bottom of the circular staircase that leads up to the attic. "Hey!" I thought "Why don't I help Buddy get up those stairs so he can hang out with the boys?" Bad move, oh, so bad a move! Buddy whimpered a little and I coaxed him about a third of the way up. He's a bit of a wimp you know. Well, then full panic hit him and he scrambled back down with a vengeance. I figured, fine, I'd just have to help him back down anyway.
Buddy followed me to my room and I noticed a few minutes after I had kicked him out that there was quite a bit of blood spotted on the floor. I called downstairs to John to check Buddy's paws. The scramble down the metal steps had caught his toenail and was causing the bleeding. No major damage but there was blood drippings through the bedroom and down the main stairs.
John asked me to come and check out Buddy myself so down I skipped. Then down I went. OWWWWW! Blood is slippery by the way. I have a huge bruise on my elbow, a smaller bruise on my side and a gigantic (how is there room, you ask??) bruise on my butt. Falling down stairs is incredibly painful.
I've spent the majority of the day in bed - where I should have stayed to begin with! :-)
Midol, take me away!
Friday, March 9, 2007
Fun Friday - Totally!
Dog walker showed up.
Maid showed up.
Sun shone all day.
I can now see the top of my desk!
We set some clearer guidelines with the maid, she was very cooperative so I have a much better feeling about things.
Jake had his first tennis class today and he really enjoyed it. Now he's asking for his own racket...I told him to chill for a while! He's taking swimming, Circus and tennis for after-school activities. This is such a cool school!!
The girls were both in the Talent Show this evening so we took Jake and his friend Manny to go watch. Our girls rocked! Nicole was in a dance troupe and Lisette did a monologue (we held our breath and she was awesome!) - there were only about 12 acts but these kids were amazing.
So, other than being restricted from going to the Embassy today because Hugo-I'm-a-Moron (his translated quote of "ethanol fuel is wrong because it will cause starvation" was my personal favourite) Chavez was in town, it was a stellar day! Can anyone tell my how a president from another country can come and lead a demonstration without the host country's president bothering to come? Imagine that happening in Canada/US??
Wishing you a Chavez-free weekend!
Love to all!
Shelley
Maid showed up.
Sun shone all day.
I can now see the top of my desk!
We set some clearer guidelines with the maid, she was very cooperative so I have a much better feeling about things.
Jake had his first tennis class today and he really enjoyed it. Now he's asking for his own racket...I told him to chill for a while! He's taking swimming, Circus and tennis for after-school activities. This is such a cool school!!
The girls were both in the Talent Show this evening so we took Jake and his friend Manny to go watch. Our girls rocked! Nicole was in a dance troupe and Lisette did a monologue (we held our breath and she was awesome!) - there were only about 12 acts but these kids were amazing.
So, other than being restricted from going to the Embassy today because Hugo-I'm-a-Moron (his translated quote of "ethanol fuel is wrong because it will cause starvation" was my personal favourite) Chavez was in town, it was a stellar day! Can anyone tell my how a president from another country can come and lead a demonstration without the host country's president bothering to come? Imagine that happening in Canada/US??
Wishing you a Chavez-free weekend!
Love to all!
Shelley
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Rainy Thursday
We woke up to rain then ran around all day in the rain, now about an hour before sunset - out came the sun! Oh well!
Our dear maid has begun to worry me a bit. They just moved a lot closer to here but that meant having to find other childcare for their little boy. As that is working itself out, she brought him here earlier this week and took today off. Hmmmmmm. Trying to be patient!!
I went to a "Transition Workshop" today through the rain! It was held at the school and was chock full of good info, some of which I could have used a month ago but most of which was still pertinent now. My friend who's still stuck at the hotel came out for lunch with John and I. Through the rain.
After lunch, I dropped off Mary back at the school and then John and I went to get our haircut! Through the rain. We actually ended up getting haircuts at a salon near the house. Most of the stylists were guys...John's cut wasn't what he wanted but mine looks great!!
Back home, through the rain, to get John ready to go to school and to meet Jake from the school bus. They basically were ships passing in the night as John left in his taxi very shortly after Jake got home. John's on his way home now - he had to take some kind of test, drop off paperwork and pick up some homework. School starts for real for him on Monday.
The girls had Talent Show rehearsal today after school. I made pork tenderloin, beans and risotto for dinner. Had a "duh" moment when I read the instructions on the box of risotto. The instructions were in Spanish and called for 650cm3 of cold water. Hmmmmmm. Darn, John has the laptop and I don't know how to convert cm3!!! Eventually it dawned on me that cm3 was the same as a cc. CC is the same as a ml (this is a no-brainer thing for nurses). Duh! I was delighted I'd managed to outsmart those darn Spanish instructions though! The sun came out as the light bulb went off over my head!
Jake's singing in the shower. Lisette's reading (shocking, I know) and Nicole is eating (basically a bottomless pit) so I'm going to jump into my pj's and settle down to finish reading a great book Lisette lent me.
Love to you all!
Shelley
Our dear maid has begun to worry me a bit. They just moved a lot closer to here but that meant having to find other childcare for their little boy. As that is working itself out, she brought him here earlier this week and took today off. Hmmmmmm. Trying to be patient!!
I went to a "Transition Workshop" today through the rain! It was held at the school and was chock full of good info, some of which I could have used a month ago but most of which was still pertinent now. My friend who's still stuck at the hotel came out for lunch with John and I. Through the rain.
After lunch, I dropped off Mary back at the school and then John and I went to get our haircut! Through the rain. We actually ended up getting haircuts at a salon near the house. Most of the stylists were guys...John's cut wasn't what he wanted but mine looks great!!
Back home, through the rain, to get John ready to go to school and to meet Jake from the school bus. They basically were ships passing in the night as John left in his taxi very shortly after Jake got home. John's on his way home now - he had to take some kind of test, drop off paperwork and pick up some homework. School starts for real for him on Monday.
The girls had Talent Show rehearsal today after school. I made pork tenderloin, beans and risotto for dinner. Had a "duh" moment when I read the instructions on the box of risotto. The instructions were in Spanish and called for 650cm3 of cold water. Hmmmmmm. Darn, John has the laptop and I don't know how to convert cm3!!! Eventually it dawned on me that cm3 was the same as a cc. CC is the same as a ml (this is a no-brainer thing for nurses). Duh! I was delighted I'd managed to outsmart those darn Spanish instructions though! The sun came out as the light bulb went off over my head!
Jake's singing in the shower. Lisette's reading (shocking, I know) and Nicole is eating (basically a bottomless pit) so I'm going to jump into my pj's and settle down to finish reading a great book Lisette lent me.
Love to you all!
Shelley
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Times Are A-Changin'!
It's my fault. I mentioned that we were getting close to being unpacked!
John found out today where we're going next...Bolivia! We'll go back to D.C. at the end of the year for training then to La Paz in the summer of '08.
I am thrilled! It's a 24 month tour so that means the girls can finish high school in one place. Lisette, her senior year and Nicole, both her junior and senior year! Jake's just excited that we're going back to the States in December! The school they'll be attending in La Paz is part of the international school system that they are in here.
So now I have to settle down and enjoy Buenos Aires without looking too far forward! Me - the planner, good luck!
Salud!
John found out today where we're going next...Bolivia! We'll go back to D.C. at the end of the year for training then to La Paz in the summer of '08.
I am thrilled! It's a 24 month tour so that means the girls can finish high school in one place. Lisette, her senior year and Nicole, both her junior and senior year! Jake's just excited that we're going back to the States in December! The school they'll be attending in La Paz is part of the international school system that they are in here.
So now I have to settle down and enjoy Buenos Aires without looking too far forward! Me - the planner, good luck!
Salud!
Sunday, March 4, 2007
Barney's On!
When Wayne's World was popular in my household, Lisette would copy the phrase "Wayne's World! Excellent! Party's On!" but she (being the Barney-head she was at the time) would replace the last exclamation with "Barney's On!" which we never corrected, of course.
Well my little princess of SIXTEEN!!! - yes, I'm still agonizing over that! - had her birthday party last night. Only half a dozen kids were there but they seemed to have a great time. Two of the girls slept over and I'm happy to say we're still impressed with the choices Lisette makes in friends...both in girls and boys.
Nicole had a soccer game yesterday afternoon and her school team won 5-2. She was happy with how she played, unfortunately John and I were too busy getting things together for the party to go see the game.
Jake revelled in the limelight of the teenagers. He's such a funny kid, they really seemed to enjoy him too. Luckily I pulled him away before his shine might have rubbed off for them. LOL
Our chocolate fountain was a hit, as per usual. I encourage one and all to get one of those!
The house is looking so pretty!!! Randomly lying boxes have been put away in storage so spaces and rooms are opening up. A few pictures and mirrors are up on the walls but these are concrete walls so I'm having to wait for John to bring along his handy-dandy drill to get things hung.
I'll post pictures once all is done!
Happy March!
Love,
Shelley
Well my little princess of SIXTEEN!!! - yes, I'm still agonizing over that! - had her birthday party last night. Only half a dozen kids were there but they seemed to have a great time. Two of the girls slept over and I'm happy to say we're still impressed with the choices Lisette makes in friends...both in girls and boys.
Nicole had a soccer game yesterday afternoon and her school team won 5-2. She was happy with how she played, unfortunately John and I were too busy getting things together for the party to go see the game.
Jake revelled in the limelight of the teenagers. He's such a funny kid, they really seemed to enjoy him too. Luckily I pulled him away before his shine might have rubbed off for them. LOL
Our chocolate fountain was a hit, as per usual. I encourage one and all to get one of those!
The house is looking so pretty!!! Randomly lying boxes have been put away in storage so spaces and rooms are opening up. A few pictures and mirrors are up on the walls but these are concrete walls so I'm having to wait for John to bring along his handy-dandy drill to get things hung.
I'll post pictures once all is done!
Happy March!
Love,
Shelley
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Yucky Thursday
Well, no Internet yet. You may be wondering how I'm writing this then? Seems Lisette's laptop is picking up someone else's wireless! :-)
Fibertel was supposed to be here today, Cablevision was supposed to be here for weeks. Security system guys have been here for two days! John escaped to the Embassy for a well deserved respite.
The weather is nasty so my trip into the city was postponed. Buddy needed me here, he's terrified of thunderstorms.
John was finally able to get the girls their cell phones last night. Much rejoicing!!
The maid is still working out great. I honestly don't know how I ever managed to be without a full-time maid...oh yeah, my house was a mess! LOL
I feel like I've been spinning my wheels today. The weather has a lot to do with it. I did come across some of my old yearbooks! Yikes! Was I goofy looking!!! (No smart-aleck comments, please!) LOL I love reading my friends' comments in those books. It sure seems like eons ago that my friends called me "Twinkle Toes" and "Hammond-Eggs"!
The office remains a quarter unpacked but memory lane is wide open! At least the laundry's getting done and the floors are all gleaming! Not that I can take credit for that! :-)
Wishing you sunshine!
Shelley
Fibertel was supposed to be here today, Cablevision was supposed to be here for weeks. Security system guys have been here for two days! John escaped to the Embassy for a well deserved respite.
The weather is nasty so my trip into the city was postponed. Buddy needed me here, he's terrified of thunderstorms.
John was finally able to get the girls their cell phones last night. Much rejoicing!!
The maid is still working out great. I honestly don't know how I ever managed to be without a full-time maid...oh yeah, my house was a mess! LOL
I feel like I've been spinning my wheels today. The weather has a lot to do with it. I did come across some of my old yearbooks! Yikes! Was I goofy looking!!! (No smart-aleck comments, please!) LOL I love reading my friends' comments in those books. It sure seems like eons ago that my friends called me "Twinkle Toes" and "Hammond-Eggs"!
The office remains a quarter unpacked but memory lane is wide open! At least the laundry's getting done and the floors are all gleaming! Not that I can take credit for that! :-)
Wishing you sunshine!
Shelley
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