Saturday 5-17-14

Saturday 5-17-14

                Happy Birthday Momma. So just in case Mom was not able to get on Skype today, I signed up for a free month of Skype word. That way I will be able to talk to her no matter what. The day started too early for my taste. I had a hard time sleeping anyways because there was a mosquito that wouldn’t stop trying to bite me through the night. I just couldn’t find it. It is very difficult to sleep when all you hear is that bzzzz, telling you that if you do not do something, you will end up with a big itchy spot. It was not a nice mosquito! So we got up and I made the kids some toast and they sat and watched a movie while I drank my coffee and talked with Asa on Facebook messenger. The internet was very good in the morning, but he was at work, so that was all we could do. Either way it is always nice getting to communicate in one way or another with him.

                At about 9:30 I took the kids up into the village. There is a spot to get fresh hot chipati about that time. Unfortunately when we got there, the chipati wasn’t ready yet. Oh well. We decided to go up farther. The kids wanted to show Stan how they looked in their new clothes he made. He wasn’t there either, but I’m sure we will be up again sometime. They do look very cute in their African style clothes. We went down the hill over by the hospital to get some half cake and bananas instead. Nothing like a bunch of bananas and a bag full of something similar to a good buttermilk donut for breakfast. I waited until we got back to the house so I could have honey and peanut butter with mine. I needed something yummy that wasn’t beans for a change.

                It wasn’t long before there were kids here, so Ayla and Jove have been out playing. A few times I have had to go out for one reason or another, but nothing too serious, just silly nonsense. For now I am just sitting here, trying to relax through all the yelling of the kids outside. I have my cup of chai and my book, maybe I will even take a nap.

                We have hot water that stays hot for more than 30 seconds. Frankie came over again today and I only tested it for a minute or so, but it stayed hot the whole time. I am very much hoping that it will continue to work and I will get a nice hot shower tonight. Last time I got my hopes up they were shattered, so fingers crossed this time.

                One of the boys outside actually just started telling Ayla that he wanted a cigarette. She had no idea what he was saying at first, then I hear “I can’t and won’t buy you a cigarette.” WTF The oldest boy there is maybe 9 years old. I can’t tell if they are all playing a pretending game or trying to get them to take money from me. I think and very much hope they are just pretending. Okay so the more I listen, they are just pretending, but I have to say, I don’t think I like this game. All the kids have made Ayla the store keeper and made her store one that sells cigarettes. She keeps trying to say no to that part, but now she is pretend selling them for 300 tsh. Oh my goodness.

                So, I go to let the kids know that I have made them the closest thing I could to macaroni and cheese, only to find that my children are trying to attack each other. I tell them to go inside, but Jove first needs to find his shoes. As I walk over with him to look, I notice that Freddy is leaning against a tree crying. I asked him what was wrong and he told me that Ayla had beat him. I asked where she hit him and I told him how sorry I was that she did that. He was okay, not even a mark. But I called Ayla back outside and spanked her butt harder than I ever have in the past right in front of the rest of the kids. Hopefully that embarrassed her enough to start acting like a better kid. When I asked her why she did it, she said because he didn’t say “Hodi” (may I come in) to go into their play shop. I just cannot believe the thoughts that go through that child’s head sometimes. I am so upset with her. I just got done telling her that if she doesn’t stop acting like such a spoiled rotten little brat she will never have friends in life.  I am so disappointed right now.

                So I had Ayla go to her room and Jove sit down to eat lunch. Ayla had about 20 minutes in the room by herself (something which she has a very hard time doing). I finally let her come out and eat her lunch. She was to stay inside for the rest of the day. After lunch, Jove went back outside to play with the rest of the kids. I noticed that there was only one or two of our school kids around and I didn’t recognize any of the others. Normally this would be fine, but because of the incident with the village kids picking on Ayla, they are not supposed to be here. Well I realize they are starting to pick on Jove a bit. Then I saw them swinging two kid on the rope swing and so I went outside and yelled at all of them and told them they all had to go home. The village kids didn’t understand so I had to have Donny translate for me. It was nice having it quieter around the house for a change.

                Samweli came by shortly after that. He wanted to see if the kids could play or if he could come in and play. Samweli is different from the rest of the kids, he is Samweli, and so he came inside and watched Rio2 with Ayla and Jove. I wasn’t going to let Ayla watch any shows today, but I did tell Samweli that we would try very hard to be able to watch one today and I didn’t want to punish him. So the three kids sat on the couch watching the movie and playing Mancala while I worked on cooking dinner.

                I was very grateful to have good internet today. I was not only able to talk to my mom for her birthday for a nice long visit on the tablet, but I also got a good visit in with my dad as well. I have always been very close with my family and so this was very nice for me. I needed to hear their voices. My dad is very into gemstones and rocks and such and wants me to go looking in the river where there is gravel areas to see if I can find anything. He tells me all the different things around, like tanzanite and ruby deposits. I love hearing the joy he gets in his voice when he talks about rocks. I think either tomorrow if the kids are being good or if they are not, then soon, I will go to the river and give it a try. He says anything that is transparent is worth keeping. I think I will have some fun hunting for rocks. Mom was doing very well and nearly broke down into tears on many occasions during our conversation. Even with the 10-20 second delay, it was still great because she was right there.

                I went to get the kids set up with their bath, and we were supposed to have hot water in the bathroom, so it should have been nice and easy. Well when Frankie came to fix the hot water, he had me check it. It used to only stay hot for 30 sec, so I checked it for a minute. It was still running super hot and I didn’t want to waste water so I let him know it seemed like he fixed it. Well I guess it only stays hot for one minute now, because it wouldn’t stay hot enough to fill the kids tote part way. I ended up having to boil water on the stove again. Oh well.

                I ended my day by getting to talk to my wonderful husband whom I don’t know what I would do without. He calms me down when I am stressed, cheers me up when I am sad, motivates me when I feel lazy. I would never have been experiencing Africa if it weren’t for him. Thank you Asa. I love you so very much.