Today we all went to town after church. We went to get some cash and get some pastries. We also bought some soda and phone credits.
The generator is running very well and I am hopeful that the problems of the recent past are, well, in the past.
Talked to Janice this morning and she sounded great. I can tell that she's feeling better and that her energy is returning. I believe she has a doctor's appointment this week to check on her progress.
Tonight we had a wonderful mexican dinner prepared by Gracey, Emma, and Keturah. Yum yum. Then, we watched some videos before retiring for the evening.
Highlight of the day was spending the morning with the kids. I always love going places with them.
Low point of the day was Ethan getting a nasty burn on the front of his neck and chin from blowing embers from the fire this afternoon. He's fine now but was rough for him for a while. He's asleep in bed as I type this.
Until tomorrow.
sf
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Day #11
Well, today was Boring! And, I mean that in a good way. Nobody's sick, nobody's in the hospital. The house didn't burn down. Perfect!
We had some visitors today. A couple of other families who live here from the States. Good times. Alex would've liked to have been here since one family has kids about her age and she always enjoyed being with them.
We gave away Alex (the dog) today to our mechanic. Yes! That is one mean and viscious dog. Our mechanic said he'd make the perfect guard dog for his house. Fine with us. We were tired of him trying to bite anybody who came within 10 feet of him.
Highlight of the day was when both our mechanic and our electrician showed up and worked on the generator together. After about 2 hours they had the thing up and running correctly. All the wires, etc. were where they were supposed to be and it started right up. Oh, happy day.
The low point of the day was getting woke up during my nap. (Yes, Mrs. Flude, while you've been gone I have taken the opportunity to take an afternoon siesta as often as I can.) I love naps!!!
Until tomorrow.
sf
We had some visitors today. A couple of other families who live here from the States. Good times. Alex would've liked to have been here since one family has kids about her age and she always enjoyed being with them.
We gave away Alex (the dog) today to our mechanic. Yes! That is one mean and viscious dog. Our mechanic said he'd make the perfect guard dog for his house. Fine with us. We were tired of him trying to bite anybody who came within 10 feet of him.
Highlight of the day was when both our mechanic and our electrician showed up and worked on the generator together. After about 2 hours they had the thing up and running correctly. All the wires, etc. were where they were supposed to be and it started right up. Oh, happy day.
The low point of the day was getting woke up during my nap. (Yes, Mrs. Flude, while you've been gone I have taken the opportunity to take an afternoon siesta as often as I can.) I love naps!!!
Until tomorrow.
sf
Day #10
We've finally hit the double digit mark with days since we last saw Janice and the kids. We're finally settling into pretty good routine around here although I don't think I'm winning any awards for "Teacher of the Year" as schooling has been sorta hit and miss. But, all in all the kids seem to be fairly happy and none of them have starved yet (this is mostly due to our domestic help - she makes at least one meal per day - and to Gracey).
Before she left, Janice gave instructions for a big tree planting effort. Yesterday several of us finally got around to putting the trees into the ground. There are some fruit trees and some shade trees. We are hopeful that all will grow to maturity and provide us with much need shade and a decent supply of fruit.
Esther's feeling better. She was up and around after a couple of sub par days. I am hopeful the worst of her problems are past.
Highlight of the day was Payton spotting of a Scorpion running across the floor during devotions. I leaned over and smacked it with my Bible. I don't know which kid it was, but one of them said, "The truth hurts!"
Low point of the day was having to go to town to pick up some cash. Going to town is fine. Going to town just for 1 thing isn't so much fun at all.
Until tomorrow.
sf
Before she left, Janice gave instructions for a big tree planting effort. Yesterday several of us finally got around to putting the trees into the ground. There are some fruit trees and some shade trees. We are hopeful that all will grow to maturity and provide us with much need shade and a decent supply of fruit.
Esther's feeling better. She was up and around after a couple of sub par days. I am hopeful the worst of her problems are past.
Highlight of the day was Payton spotting of a Scorpion running across the floor during devotions. I leaned over and smacked it with my Bible. I don't know which kid it was, but one of them said, "The truth hurts!"
Low point of the day was having to go to town to pick up some cash. Going to town is fine. Going to town just for 1 thing isn't so much fun at all.
Until tomorrow.
sf
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Day #9
We had rain today! And, one nasty wind and sand storm. The house literally had a haze inside it for about 30 minutes. Of course, the kids all wanted to go out and play in it. Not often one gets to experience a warm shower around here (we don't have water heaters for any of the bathrooms).
We're now on day 3 of the repaired generator and there are no problems to report. VERY thankful for a well running generator.
Some of the kids went to the river today with some friends and after they came back and ate dinner they went to a bon-fire for about 1 hour. They all had a good time.
Highlight of the day was getting to talk to Janice on the phone... twice! She sounds so much better but is still sick as she hacked up a lung a couple of times while I was talking to her.
Low point of the day was Esther getting sicker. She's been having bad cramping, etc. from some intestinal bug that she's got. She took about a 5 hour nap today, didn't eat much, and really only wants to be with Gracey.
Until tomorrow.
sf
We're now on day 3 of the repaired generator and there are no problems to report. VERY thankful for a well running generator.
Some of the kids went to the river today with some friends and after they came back and ate dinner they went to a bon-fire for about 1 hour. They all had a good time.
Highlight of the day was getting to talk to Janice on the phone... twice! She sounds so much better but is still sick as she hacked up a lung a couple of times while I was talking to her.
Low point of the day was Esther getting sicker. She's been having bad cramping, etc. from some intestinal bug that she's got. She took about a 5 hour nap today, didn't eat much, and really only wants to be with Gracey.
Until tomorrow.
sf
Day #8
Today was probably the most "normal" day we've had since Janice and the kids deserted us. We essentially did school work all day and I was able to get quite a bit done with the Welcome Center's accounting program.
Celine, our domestic help, made hamburgers and french fries for lunch today and that was a blessing. The kids and I gobbled them up in record time. We don't often get them so whenever we do we devour them.
The highlight of the day was seeing my sweet hearted 15 year old son sit out front with the Chadian kids and show them things in books and talk with them in French and Arabic. He's quite gifted when it comes to language. He was so kind and gentle with them.
The low point of the day was watching Esther suffer with some intestinal bug of some sort. Poor thing complained about a sore tummy and cramping all day long. She's was also running a temperature. It is no fun for the kids to be sick. It's doubly bad when mom isn't here to helpl them through the pain.
Until tomorrow.
sf
Celine, our domestic help, made hamburgers and french fries for lunch today and that was a blessing. The kids and I gobbled them up in record time. We don't often get them so whenever we do we devour them.
The highlight of the day was seeing my sweet hearted 15 year old son sit out front with the Chadian kids and show them things in books and talk with them in French and Arabic. He's quite gifted when it comes to language. He was so kind and gentle with them.
The low point of the day was watching Esther suffer with some intestinal bug of some sort. Poor thing complained about a sore tummy and cramping all day long. She's was also running a temperature. It is no fun for the kids to be sick. It's doubly bad when mom isn't here to helpl them through the pain.
Until tomorrow.
sf
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Day #7
We had electricity for the entire day! What a blessing.
I can tell you that I am doing a poor impersonation of Janice. We don't eat at any set time. I don't require the kids to do their schoolwork. Heck, they don't even need to get dressed if they don't want to.
It was well into the 100's today. Probably about 110 or so.
As I type this, all of the kids are sacked out in the front room except for Emma. She's gonna sleep with me tonight.
Payton has been complaining of a sore back. Wonder what that's about.
Keturah has what looks like an ingrown hair on her arm.
And, Emma has been feeling sick off and on for a few days.
Highlight of the day was our trip into town to our favorite bakery where all of the kids ordered breakfast this morning. I love going places with the kids and getting funny looks from people.
Low point of the day was discovering that our newly purchased 1 Terabyte portable hard drive no longer works. It has all of our family photos and movies on it. What makes it such a dissapointing discovery is that it replaced, at a great cost, another hard drive that quit working. I surely hope we can revive it without sending it back to the company that salvaged the data from the older hard drive. And to think, we had used the thing the night before to watch a movie. Yikes.
Until tomorrow,
sf
I can tell you that I am doing a poor impersonation of Janice. We don't eat at any set time. I don't require the kids to do their schoolwork. Heck, they don't even need to get dressed if they don't want to.
It was well into the 100's today. Probably about 110 or so.
As I type this, all of the kids are sacked out in the front room except for Emma. She's gonna sleep with me tonight.
Payton has been complaining of a sore back. Wonder what that's about.
Keturah has what looks like an ingrown hair on her arm.
And, Emma has been feeling sick off and on for a few days.
Highlight of the day was our trip into town to our favorite bakery where all of the kids ordered breakfast this morning. I love going places with the kids and getting funny looks from people.
Low point of the day was discovering that our newly purchased 1 Terabyte portable hard drive no longer works. It has all of our family photos and movies on it. What makes it such a dissapointing discovery is that it replaced, at a great cost, another hard drive that quit working. I surely hope we can revive it without sending it back to the company that salvaged the data from the older hard drive. And to think, we had used the thing the night before to watch a movie. Yikes.
Until tomorrow,
sf
Monday, May 25, 2009
Day #6
Last night several of the kids slept outside because the generator wasn't working. Well, tonight there is no need for that as of 3 PM this afternoon the generator is up and running. Unfortunately, the fix is only temporary as our mechanic essentially hot wired it by bypassing the computer controls. Seems there's an electrical system short somewhere b/t the motor and the control cabinet. Tomorrow, our elecrtrician will be coming to do a full system diagnostic (and hopefully repair it for good).
Talked with Janice tonight. Man, was it ever good to hear her silky voice. I can't believe how much I miss her and the kids. Unfortunately, her condition isn't improving so tomorrow it is back to the doctor for a change in medication. Liddy's illness is still a mystery so she's going back to the doctor as well.
Oh yeah, almost forgot, Esther's on day 4 of basically running around naked all day long. She really doesn't like the heat!!!
Highlight of the day was hearing the noisy hum of the generator at long last.
Low point of the day was the re-recognition that I'm here and Janice is there and there's nothing I can do about it.
Until tomorrow.
sf
Talked with Janice tonight. Man, was it ever good to hear her silky voice. I can't believe how much I miss her and the kids. Unfortunately, her condition isn't improving so tomorrow it is back to the doctor for a change in medication. Liddy's illness is still a mystery so she's going back to the doctor as well.
Oh yeah, almost forgot, Esther's on day 4 of basically running around naked all day long. She really doesn't like the heat!!!
Highlight of the day was hearing the noisy hum of the generator at long last.
Low point of the day was the re-recognition that I'm here and Janice is there and there's nothing I can do about it.
Until tomorrow.
sf
SURPRISE
This is what you get when you don't tell your Mother you are stopping by for a visit from Africa!Sunday, May 24, 2009
Day #5
Today was probably the longest and hottest day for us since we've been here. Not only are Janice and the kids not here, but our generator (and the smaller back-up generator) aren't working right now. So, that means that we've been without electricity for many hours today. Tonight, we're trying the battery system to see if we can at least keep the fans turning throughout the night.
Esther again went most of the day without clothes on. She even ran around the yard for about 45 minutes, with Tawnee, buck naked. First thing she wanted this morning was to take a cold bath. Poor thing doesn't do the heat very well.
Tonight we went into town with some friends who blessed us by buying us dinner and giving us about 2 hours of A/C. What a treat!!!
Highlight of the day was the dinner and A/C.
Low point of of the day was waking up at 4 AM as the power turned off thanks to the backup generator giving up the ghost. I think the best thing to do with it is to put it in a very large hole. Our mechanic thinks it can be fixed. We'll see.
Until next time.
sf
Esther again went most of the day without clothes on. She even ran around the yard for about 45 minutes, with Tawnee, buck naked. First thing she wanted this morning was to take a cold bath. Poor thing doesn't do the heat very well.
Tonight we went into town with some friends who blessed us by buying us dinner and giving us about 2 hours of A/C. What a treat!!!
Highlight of the day was the dinner and A/C.
Low point of of the day was waking up at 4 AM as the power turned off thanks to the backup generator giving up the ghost. I think the best thing to do with it is to put it in a very large hole. Our mechanic thinks it can be fixed. We'll see.
Until next time.
sf
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Day #4
The big 30 KVA generator is still not running. So today we are operating with our smaller back-up generator. It is smaller in every sense of the word except in its consumption of diesel. We have to put about 7 liters of diesel in it every 2 hours. Makes for a fun night. Its radiator leaks like a sieve so we have McGyvered a hose to the open radiator. Said hose is left on at a trickel. Works well. Our electrician thinks he's found the problem with our big generator and will attempt to purchase the part tomorrow. I sure hope he is able to do so.
The wife of one of our guards had a baby this past week. Tomorrow he's having a naming party at 4 PM. I was invited. So were the kids. After a family poll it was decided that we are not going. Seems as though the kids don't really have the desire to stray too far from the house since momma's gone. Can't say that I blame them.
Highlight of the day was having electricity for the past 24 hours. What a blessing.
Low point of the day was the 2+ hours it took to purchase 5 barrels of diesel and get it put away in the diesel room. My friend Dan helped me. By the time we got done we were covered with dirt and diesel and we smelled really badly too.
Until next time.
sf
The wife of one of our guards had a baby this past week. Tomorrow he's having a naming party at 4 PM. I was invited. So were the kids. After a family poll it was decided that we are not going. Seems as though the kids don't really have the desire to stray too far from the house since momma's gone. Can't say that I blame them.
Highlight of the day was having electricity for the past 24 hours. What a blessing.
Low point of the day was the 2+ hours it took to purchase 5 barrels of diesel and get it put away in the diesel room. My friend Dan helped me. By the time we got done we were covered with dirt and diesel and we smelled really badly too.
Until next time.
sf
Day #3
Today was fairly normal for us. Kids did homework and played. In the evening we watched a movie with some friends. Intermingled with all of that was several hours without electricity as our generator is not working at the moment. Our mechanic thinks it is one problem. Our electrrician thinks it is another. I really don't care what the problem is so long as it gets fixed.
Tomorrow holds great promise as they'll both be here at some point to diagnose and treat the problem.
Speaking of diagnosing and treating.... latest word on Liddy is that the doctors aren't sure what she has, if anything, since tests are coming back normal. I'm not sure I buy their conclusion at this point since she's been suffering with "nothing" for almost 3 months now. She will most likely not spend tonight in the hospital which I am sure will make both her and Janice very happy. As for Janice, she reports that she's actually feeling a bit better. Perhaps, just maybe, she'll see marked improvement soon.
Highlight of the day: There are 2. One was Ethan asking me to do homework with him. The other was seeing Keturah start working on next year's school books. She spent so much time working today that it reminded me of Alex during this past school year.
Low point of the day: Getting up at 3 AM to put diesel in the generator. (It was working then.) Didn't get back to bed until after 4 AM as I needed to take a shower and I called Janice.
Until tomorrow.
sf
Tomorrow holds great promise as they'll both be here at some point to diagnose and treat the problem.
Speaking of diagnosing and treating.... latest word on Liddy is that the doctors aren't sure what she has, if anything, since tests are coming back normal. I'm not sure I buy their conclusion at this point since she's been suffering with "nothing" for almost 3 months now. She will most likely not spend tonight in the hospital which I am sure will make both her and Janice very happy. As for Janice, she reports that she's actually feeling a bit better. Perhaps, just maybe, she'll see marked improvement soon.
Highlight of the day: There are 2. One was Ethan asking me to do homework with him. The other was seeing Keturah start working on next year's school books. She spent so much time working today that it reminded me of Alex during this past school year.
Low point of the day: Getting up at 3 AM to put diesel in the generator. (It was working then.) Didn't get back to bed until after 4 AM as I needed to take a shower and I called Janice.
Until tomorrow.
sf
Friday, May 22, 2009
Day #2
Today I awoke to the sounds of Esther screaming and throwing a fit. With any other child in the family this would've alarmed me. But, with Esther, a surly attitude in the morning is the norm. Often, she wakes up in the foulest mood. Today was not exception. For whatever reason, she doesn't do the first few minutes of the day very well. I don't know why. Maybe she's mad that she woke up? Maybe she's mad that she's mad? How does one go about reasoning and consoling a half asleep 2 year old?
Talked to Janice today. She was able to go to a doctor today. She has pneumonia in both lungs and is suffering from some dehydration and other things. She will be going to see an Infectious Disease specialist soon. You know, Malaria and Typhoid and Pneumonia is quite the trifecta, wouldn't you say? I'm surprised she's even able to walk around and carry on anything resembling normal conversation. I'd be sick in bed calling for my mommy if I were her.
Kids all miss her greatly. I do too. I miss Alex as well. I picked up a picture of her taken while we were camping when she was about 8 or so. After staring at it for about 5 seconds I burst into tears. What a mess am I! Both Emma and Keturah saw me and asked, "Dad, what's the matter?" Why do I have to go through this again? At least Tawnee told me today that she is never going to move out. That's fine with me. That's one less broken heart I will have to deal with.
Highlight of the day was Tawnee and Esther running around buck naked all day long. (Sorry, Janice, but they wanted to go naked and I saw no reason why they shouldn't be allowed to do so. Hurry home!!!)
Low point of the day was hearing about Janice's condition, talking to her on the phone, and realizing (again) that I can do nothing for her while she's half way around the world.
Until tomorrow.
sf
Talked to Janice today. She was able to go to a doctor today. She has pneumonia in both lungs and is suffering from some dehydration and other things. She will be going to see an Infectious Disease specialist soon. You know, Malaria and Typhoid and Pneumonia is quite the trifecta, wouldn't you say? I'm surprised she's even able to walk around and carry on anything resembling normal conversation. I'd be sick in bed calling for my mommy if I were her.
Kids all miss her greatly. I do too. I miss Alex as well. I picked up a picture of her taken while we were camping when she was about 8 or so. After staring at it for about 5 seconds I burst into tears. What a mess am I! Both Emma and Keturah saw me and asked, "Dad, what's the matter?" Why do I have to go through this again? At least Tawnee told me today that she is never going to move out. That's fine with me. That's one less broken heart I will have to deal with.
Highlight of the day was Tawnee and Esther running around buck naked all day long. (Sorry, Janice, but they wanted to go naked and I saw no reason why they shouldn't be allowed to do so. Hurry home!!!)
Low point of the day was hearing about Janice's condition, talking to her on the phone, and realizing (again) that I can do nothing for her while she's half way around the world.
Until tomorrow.
sf
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Day #1
Yesterday evening at 11:30 PM, Janice, Alex, Liddy, and Hudson boarded an Air France Airbus jetliner bound for the U.S. via a stop over in Paris. They made it safely to SEATAC ariport where Janice's brother, Ray, picked her up. I can confirm they made it safely to his house. PTL!
The trip was necessary for a couple of reasons. First, Alex is going "home" to start the next phase of her life. She won't be coming back to Chad any time soon. This breaks my heart as our sweet daughter won't be around us 24/7 anymore. I can honestly say that saying goodbye to her was one of the - if not the - most gut wrenching and emotional things I've ever had to do. I really cannot imagine going through something like that again. Yet, I know that I've got to do it at least another 9 times. And, secondly, both Janice and Liddy are ill. Liddy, as readers of this blog (and FB) may know, has been suffering for almost 3 months with some sort of bug that the doctors here cannot find source of. And, Janice, about 10 days ago or so came down with Malaria and Typhoid. She's been under almost constant doctor supervision and every time her condition improves, she takes a step backwards. The doctor here finally told her that the best thing she cold do was to hop on the plane and get treatment in the U.S.
The kids are all doing well after the initial shock of coming home without mom wore off. Today we spent time just hanging out and I gave the girls the day off from school so they could fix their rooms just right as furniture and beds were being swapped now that Alex no longer needs her stuff. Emma slept with me last night and tonight it's Tawnee's turn.
The highlight of the day was Ethan getting a tooth pulled at the French Military Base. It had abscessed and was in pretty bad shape. He only shed 1 tear. Man, is that little guy tough.
The low point of the day was the generator being out of commission for the better part of 8 hours or more. It was only about 110 today. By the time the generator was back in service (around 6 PM) I had narrowly avoided a mutiny by the kids for lack of A/C. All is well now as everyone is asleep now.
Until tomorrow.
sf
The trip was necessary for a couple of reasons. First, Alex is going "home" to start the next phase of her life. She won't be coming back to Chad any time soon. This breaks my heart as our sweet daughter won't be around us 24/7 anymore. I can honestly say that saying goodbye to her was one of the - if not the - most gut wrenching and emotional things I've ever had to do. I really cannot imagine going through something like that again. Yet, I know that I've got to do it at least another 9 times. And, secondly, both Janice and Liddy are ill. Liddy, as readers of this blog (and FB) may know, has been suffering for almost 3 months with some sort of bug that the doctors here cannot find source of. And, Janice, about 10 days ago or so came down with Malaria and Typhoid. She's been under almost constant doctor supervision and every time her condition improves, she takes a step backwards. The doctor here finally told her that the best thing she cold do was to hop on the plane and get treatment in the U.S.
The kids are all doing well after the initial shock of coming home without mom wore off. Today we spent time just hanging out and I gave the girls the day off from school so they could fix their rooms just right as furniture and beds were being swapped now that Alex no longer needs her stuff. Emma slept with me last night and tonight it's Tawnee's turn.
The highlight of the day was Ethan getting a tooth pulled at the French Military Base. It had abscessed and was in pretty bad shape. He only shed 1 tear. Man, is that little guy tough.
The low point of the day was the generator being out of commission for the better part of 8 hours or more. It was only about 110 today. By the time the generator was back in service (around 6 PM) I had narrowly avoided a mutiny by the kids for lack of A/C. All is well now as everyone is asleep now.
Until tomorrow.
sf
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Memories
Janice and I spent the evening watching home videos with the kiddos. The particular one we watched consisted mainly of Father - Daughter and Father - Son campouts from 2005. What great memories it conjured up!
There was Libby too scared to come down the mountain so Corey helped her only to fall herself.
There was Gracey, who looked so young and Keturah who looked even younger!
With the girls there was lots of giggling and laughing. With the boys, there was not so much talking but a lot of bb guns and pistols.
There were plenty of segments devoted to swimming in the river and none too few of the dads preparing some food.
What great times we had in Silverton.
The kids laughed and laughed at their antics. They were also touched, too, by the thought that they can't be physically with their friends and family right now. They are blessed to have so many good friends and family members. And, Janice and I are blessed too with close relationships with all of the dad's and their families.
Here's 3 cheers to all you dads who "suffer" through campouts with your kids. Those times are some of my most fond memories (and the kids' too). I only hope that we can do it again when next we are together.
Until next time.... sf
There was Libby too scared to come down the mountain so Corey helped her only to fall herself.
There was Gracey, who looked so young and Keturah who looked even younger!
With the girls there was lots of giggling and laughing. With the boys, there was not so much talking but a lot of bb guns and pistols.
There were plenty of segments devoted to swimming in the river and none too few of the dads preparing some food.
What great times we had in Silverton.
The kids laughed and laughed at their antics. They were also touched, too, by the thought that they can't be physically with their friends and family right now. They are blessed to have so many good friends and family members. And, Janice and I are blessed too with close relationships with all of the dad's and their families.
Here's 3 cheers to all you dads who "suffer" through campouts with your kids. Those times are some of my most fond memories (and the kids' too). I only hope that we can do it again when next we are together.
Until next time.... sf
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