Last Friday the kids were "all over the map" and it made me feel ....a little scattered. Joe and Christin were en route to sunny Maui to join Nick and Nicki; Mitch texted from the tarmac boarding his plane for Dublin; and Emily left for Uganda via one last stop in Florida.
Everyone arrived safely. Mitch, amused by my text wishing him "safe travels" replied "I was going to go with risky, but will change my plans accordingly". Great reply because it made me laugh :D
Without a doubt an adventurous week for all!
Emily had 10 days at home and she made the very most of it.
She brought this "house of spices" for Kev and a beautiful necklace for moi-
Emily suggested I frame it because it is big and beautiful :D I love it!
Some days were spent skype-ing. One session with her boss/mentor went 4.5 hours and one evening she had back-to-back sessions with friends and family x 4. Although she wanted to just soak up the creature comforts of home-electricity, water, food (ice cream!), love, friends, car, internet access and shopping --the days flew by so quickly she had to try to squeeze these things in while taking care of business--tax meeting, dentist (unfair!), doctor, post office, and overnighting her Visa to the embassy for renewal. I started to wonder if she was working or replenishing. In the end, she restocked, refueled and had a great time.
The packing this time was very different than October. Of course, she didn't need to pack clothes, so she came home with 3 empty suitcases and wish lists from her friends in Moroto. She was determined to bring food for the long haul as well. Day one was filled with ordering from Amazon and things started arriving thereafter.
Some things on the list:
Snake venom extractor kit (for her survey teams)
Picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Guide to Catholic Mass (for her landlady)
24 boxes of mac' n cheese- (throw the pasta, keep the cheese)
Single serving packets nuts, almond butter, peanut butter-to have ant-free protein sources
Shoes, sandals, shoes
Vacuum sealed tuna and salmon
Rechargeable immersion blender
Weighted collapsible hula hoop (for exercise)
Pink tennis balls (for playing with kids)
Laminated and enlarged recent photos of family (to decorate living room)
DVD's (for Wednesday movie nights)
For friends--shampoo, soaps, coffee, lotions, reading glasses,
Small jewelry gifts for some special friends
And a video camera to document the 15 hour ride from Kampala to Moroto because we never ever would believe it otherwise!
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| Snake Venom Kit |
(To quote wise Dr Seuss)
“So be sure when you step, Step with care and great tact. And remember that life's A Great Balancing Act. And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed) ”
(Repeat to self..... They have brains in their heads.
And feet in their shoes...they're sure to be safe, people as brainy and footsy as these!))
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