The Blues

I have the blues today. I shouldn't. The weather is fantastic. Maybe that is part of the problem. I really did not want to do the chores in front of me. It was a day filled with paperwork. I am learning a lot right now, but it is sort of like Algebra or dark green leafy vegis. You kind of have to plug your nose while you do it. Hohum. I think I will go out and do some barn chores to get a respite.

Spring has Sprung at last!

Oh glorious Sunday! I wish I was going to Mass, because if I was this would be the kind of morning where you sing at the top of your lungs just to let your lungs fill with lots of air. fresh warm air. We are finally out of the frozen grip we were in for all of January and part of December. This is definitely a record breaking year for both snow and temps.
But alas I have very serious paperwork I have to do, the girls will be at the horse show, and Matt will be the gopher today since Grandma and Grandpa will do what they always do.
So I will take my deep breaths while doing chores and I will make sure I sit near a window for paperwork.
Now that the snow is almost gone I can find Rakieta's shoes that were lost when we moved the grandparents in. I am sure they are in storage.
Well, folks who live in the beautiful heavy clay soil of the thumb of Michigan, guess what season we are now officially in? That's right MUD!

Thursday, The Aftermath

The Prosthetic Clinic in Ouagadougou. It is the best in the region. It may not be fancy, but they do know what they are doing.

Rakieta and I waiting on our mat after the appointment. The mats are a staple in Burkina. The mat and I were good friends on this day.

So we had to get up at about 5:00am because Marie had made us an appointment at the clinic which was one of the main reasons for my visit. My only complaint about theses lovely people is that they just don't take things seriously. It took me 8 months to get the first appointment made and a trip over to get a plan to build a new prosthetic. Africa time is just not like American time and all that getting impatient does is make them more stubborn and mischievous. But I digress.
Anyhoo, we had to get up really early. I was still using the bathroom but was ok, definitely not feeling super great. Keep in mind the temps were over 100* everyday, No air conditioning anywhere except the 2 bedrooms I slept in, my ear was definitely not feeling well. (I resorted to the antibiotic I had been warned to take.)
I stuck to bananas for breakfast. Poor Kassoum arrived by bicycle at about 6:00. That is at least an hour to 2 hour trip. Shortly thereafter, we left for the clinic. It was already hot. The waiting room was a small corridor with rather comfortable chairs for Burkina and a lot of people already waiting. We waited at least 30 minutes before anyone at all was called. Meanwhile I began to scout for the bathrooom as nature was calling again. I gratefully found another flush toilet. It was something similar to the old gas station bathrooms from many years ago. Complete with the smells and very dirty towel. But I was not going to complain. After 3 or 4 trips in, I decided to join Kassoum outside in the shade on the mat. I napped for at least another 45 minutes. Paul felt terrible sorry for me so he had the driver get me 2 croissants and a Coca-cola. (I will discuss Coca-Cola bottling later)
Eventually they did see us. Everything was fine and a plan was made to build another prosthetic. Total cost for the visit-about $3.00.
This day is very long and eventful so I'll break it up over several posts.

Open Show at Tri C/V Performance Horses

Well I am working my fingers to the bone selling hot dogs and goodies at the Goodie Bar during an open show today. Today was a special treat because there were several very small children riding. They were so cute. The pics are a little dark so someone is working on brightening them for me. If they are successful, I'll be sure to post them.
The Goodie bar is doing quite well. I am using my share of the money to help pay for Rakieta's new leg.

New Couch

Today Grandpa got me out of bed too early. But I didn't mind. Know why? Because today was "Pick up Couch" day. That's right, that very old decrepit Flexsteel was leaving our home today to be replaced with a beautiful huge Ashley couch. So since it was so early, I ran to do the banking, then once home I sent Matt off to pick it up. Meanwhile the girls and I sent Gram and Grandpa off to their bedroom to watch tv while we dismantled the living room.
By 12 noon we were completely done. Things went really, really well. Whew!!! I'll post a picture tomorrow along with my dining table since I never showed off that.
So I did my civic duty in this terrible economy. I have bought 2 big pieces of furniture. Next I am getting chairs. Now mind you, I am buying everything on layaway, but still we are making major purchases. It feels good to be normal in spite of all the doom and gloom and it feels good to know it is ours-paid for in cash.
I do need to replace the other couch, but not too soon because Grandpa spills his coffee regularly. I am thinking about getting another one just like my new Ashley. The living room is very big and it would look very nice................

Notorious Wednesday in Ouagadougou

Wine from Isreal

Rakieta, Horouna, and Me

Well, Rakieta and our trusty driver took my very sunburned tired body home to Delilah and Stephanie's and I was very happy to hit the sheets.
The next morning I woke, ate and waited for Rakieta to pick me up. We were headed back to her house to have lunch with Marie and then Horouna, Rakieta's and my friend was coming over to visit and then I was to meet Marie's husband, Paul.
I ate a very delicious lunch. I was told that Marie knew how to make white people's food so it would be good and it was.
Horouna arrived right on schedule. We talked and his English wasn't too bad. All of a sudden the room began to spin and I gratefully ran to the indoor toilet and then off to the air conditioned bedroom to lay down and get my act together.
Eventually it did get together and I was able to go back out and visit with this very nice young man. In Burkina, people rise early while it is cool, then work until about 12 or 1 and then everyone has a siesta. Then things liven back up again by 3 or 4 and so people don't get home from work until at least 7 or so. So dinner can easily be at 9.
Once Marie and Paul got home we all went for a walk to the airport which was nearby. Then we had a lovely dinner. While I was ever so grateful to be so near a flush toilet I was ok and even able to share in the wine Paul brought out. It was a small bottle he had gotten in Isreal. While Isreal is a major pilgramage for an American, it is a much shorter jaunt from Africa so a rather common trip for a middle class African to make.
That night I spent the night there and Rakieta and I talked a lot. It was a fun slumber party for us even with me trotting to the toilet.

Warm temps and Paint!

Today I am doing something long overdue. I am painting the wall(s) in my living room. Not that the color is changing much. Still pastel green. But my couch which I have been diligently paying for on layaway is in and ready to come home. So I figure one wall a day I can manage. Then I need to shampoo carpets around the grandparents who seem to be part of the furniture and hopefully at the end of the week we can get it in. I can't wait.
The couch we are replacing is a family heirloom. It is a Flexsteel which tells you how long they last. I think it is from the 50's. It has been recovered several times-I did 3 or 4-and we've replaced the cushions during our proprietorship twice. But all good things must come to an end and I am happy to see it go. My husband on the other hand will shed tears as it goes out the door. Possible Rakieta too. Although she, having a better sence of style than Matt, should be excited about the new one.
In other cheery news it is 45* as we speak. Yahoo! It is amazing what warm temps will do for the soul.
This morning, we called a halt to all other activities-like say church-because we had to stand in line outside Best Buy to then stand in line inside Best Buy to get our great deal on a new laptop. $400 got us a 3 gig Compaq with a mouse and flash drive. Needless to say there were quite a few people in line. So advice to you all: If you see a great deal at Best Buy, plan to be there when the store opens on Sunday (opening day of sale) and plan to wait in line.
Well, off to finish dinner. Tomorrow I will post more African pics.