Today I had a squirrel in my trousers.
The chap who had the house before us was one of those people who thinks it's cute to feed wild animals. This included vervet monkeys, hornbills and a tree squirrel. The latter let me know earlier in the week that he should be admitted through the kitchen windows into the kitchen by tapping on the windows. When I denied him his entry he took it upon himself and has been coming in through any open entrance to the house. I have been keeping everything closed up except for the room we are in but today the maid opened the windows in the kitchen and then proceeded with her work in the rest of the house.
So I walked in on the little rotter digging through the trashcan and instead of exiting through the windows he ran for the first dark place he saw; my pantleg. He went straight up my calf, around my knee, where he had some difficulty, then up the back of my thigh, over my butt, up my t-shirt and out my sleeve. Leaving a trail of scratches, but thankfully no bites. All the while I was screaming my head off and leaping around trying to get my button and zip undone.
Thank goodness I a) have lost a little weight due to the lack of ice-cream, pizza and Chinese food and b) have been wearing the same trousers for four days so the blighter could make it up, up and over to escape finally out the back door between K's startled feet. I can't imagine what would have happened if he had encountered elastic, or a belt at the waistline.
It has taken me all day to recover from the fright and I am glaring pointedly out the windows at any and all squirrels. But I think he probably received as big a shock as I did and will not be back for a while. When he does return however, we will be ready for him. With a live trap so we can take him far, far, far away.
I also live in fear of the return of the vervet monkeys. Imagine one of THOSE in your trousers!
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Arrived
We are here at Mpala and settling in. Of course there are bumps and bruises to deal with, very limited internet, and for four terrible days, no phone either. I have written a few posts offline but of course the computer ate the document somehow. So just keep checking back, when we get internet sorted I promise I will be a regular poster.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
airports, airplanes and country of my birth
There is something otherworldly about the small piece of Nairobi that I have seen. Perhaps it is that all the scenes are like from a movie, the tall olive-green trees in a haze of dust, the transition from dirt to paved to dirt road, and the ubiquitous basket seller on the side of the road.
D's apartment is high up, looking out over the tops of the trees and I can hear the cars going by and the people speaking in a foreign language below us. It is a place of calm to drink tea and recover from 24 hours of travel.
We got in last night, very late after stopping through Brussels and Bujumbura. Emma was an angel and slept through most of the first flight and part of the second. She was definitely overtouched and tired by the end - as were we. We seem to not be too tired today as we all woke up this morning fairly fresh and Emma at least has napped. Now we are planning how to get out to Mpala and I almost wish we were staying here to watch the boughs of the huge Eucalyptus lean back and forth against the kitchen window.
There is something incredibly familiar about the smell here. It's acrid in the back of your throat but sweet in the nose.
The air is chilly, and Emma is unused to wearing this much clothing, each time we do her diaper she rails against putting trousers on, but man is she adorable in her little sweater. My brain is a little foggy and I feel like I could write a hundred little things about being here so will stop writing now, except to say that I adore parquet flooring.
D's apartment is high up, looking out over the tops of the trees and I can hear the cars going by and the people speaking in a foreign language below us. It is a place of calm to drink tea and recover from 24 hours of travel.
We got in last night, very late after stopping through Brussels and Bujumbura. Emma was an angel and slept through most of the first flight and part of the second. She was definitely overtouched and tired by the end - as were we. We seem to not be too tired today as we all woke up this morning fairly fresh and Emma at least has napped. Now we are planning how to get out to Mpala and I almost wish we were staying here to watch the boughs of the huge Eucalyptus lean back and forth against the kitchen window.
There is something incredibly familiar about the smell here. It's acrid in the back of your throat but sweet in the nose.
The air is chilly, and Emma is unused to wearing this much clothing, each time we do her diaper she rails against putting trousers on, but man is she adorable in her little sweater. My brain is a little foggy and I feel like I could write a hundred little things about being here so will stop writing now, except to say that I adore parquet flooring.
Monday, August 09, 2010
You can Choose to be Embarrassed.
Emma, my mother in law and I went to the National Gallery the other day. Emma was awake for the whole trip through and was thoroughly enjoying the people watching in the French artists' exhibit halls.
When we got to the photographs of and by Allan Ginsberg, she decided that people watching was for the birds and it was time to be involved.
In public bathrooms that echo she has tested out her voice with a short, sharp and repeated "eh?" She loves to hear the sound it makes and listens to her question come back to her with pleasure. This is what she was doing in a large room in which people were taking themselves, the photos and the commentary written by Ginsberg very seriously. I found it highly amusing but didn't want to be the obnoxious parent who can't see that their child is annoying other people who want to be serious. To be honest, and maybe this is just my plebian self, but I agreed with her. The photos certainly warrented an "eh?" and the echoes were more fun too.
When we got to the photographs of and by Allan Ginsberg, she decided that people watching was for the birds and it was time to be involved.
In public bathrooms that echo she has tested out her voice with a short, sharp and repeated "eh?" She loves to hear the sound it makes and listens to her question come back to her with pleasure. This is what she was doing in a large room in which people were taking themselves, the photos and the commentary written by Ginsberg very seriously. I found it highly amusing but didn't want to be the obnoxious parent who can't see that their child is annoying other people who want to be serious. To be honest, and maybe this is just my plebian self, but I agreed with her. The photos certainly warrented an "eh?" and the echoes were more fun too.
Headspace
The first leg of our journey is begun. The house was packed up and cleaned and all our worldly possesions are in a 10x10 storage unit. Minus 6 suitcases worth. Of course, as we were trying to fit everything into the truck, we were feeling very much like it would have been better to give most of it away. I realised how little attached I am to most of the things I put in boxes.
You never do know when nostalgia is going to poke it's thorny little head into your plans though. After a conversation with my sister I now wish I had packed my one remaining porcelain doll into a suitcase instead of a box.
This week of limbo is giving me time to adjust to the idea of where we are going and what our daily lives will really be like. Will I be able to walk outside in the nighttime and watch a heavy rain coming down, or will I then be sharing a porch with whatever large and potentially predatory creature decided to use it for cover? Will I be able to write this blog during the day or will I have to wait 'til the electricity comes back on in the evening? The hardest part for my personality is letting these thoughts flow out of my body and out into the world unanswered. I am counting the sleeps to when we walk in the door and see how we will live for the next year.
You never do know when nostalgia is going to poke it's thorny little head into your plans though. After a conversation with my sister I now wish I had packed my one remaining porcelain doll into a suitcase instead of a box.
This week of limbo is giving me time to adjust to the idea of where we are going and what our daily lives will really be like. Will I be able to walk outside in the nighttime and watch a heavy rain coming down, or will I then be sharing a porch with whatever large and potentially predatory creature decided to use it for cover? Will I be able to write this blog during the day or will I have to wait 'til the electricity comes back on in the evening? The hardest part for my personality is letting these thoughts flow out of my body and out into the world unanswered. I am counting the sleeps to when we walk in the door and see how we will live for the next year.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Beach Ho!
Today we are leaving for the beach.
The house remains in a state of disaster with piles of sorting, empty, half full and even some full boxes and doors shut against the cats. Today the goal is simple - clean and pack for the beach. This should be attainable, but we'll see if the ETD of 2pm becomes a reality. We seem to be running about 45 mins late for everything these days.
Emma slept with us from about 1 til about 4 so I am tiiiired. I have to work out a way to not fall asleep while she nurses in the middle of the night. She is in such a happy mood this morning I can't resist watching her work out what is the most dangerous thing in the house and how can she get to it to chew on.
The house remains in a state of disaster with piles of sorting, empty, half full and even some full boxes and doors shut against the cats. Today the goal is simple - clean and pack for the beach. This should be attainable, but we'll see if the ETD of 2pm becomes a reality. We seem to be running about 45 mins late for everything these days.
Emma slept with us from about 1 til about 4 so I am tiiiired. I have to work out a way to not fall asleep while she nurses in the middle of the night. She is in such a happy mood this morning I can't resist watching her work out what is the most dangerous thing in the house and how can she get to it to chew on.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
darn tootin'
We've got tickets!
After these very short flights to Wisconsin we decided we needed to buy Emma her own ticket. That way we can have not only a teensy more room, but somewhere to put the carseat so that we can lay her down and also a full luggage allowance for her. Which while attempting to avoid the boxes today I did a small assessment of the sheer tonnage of toys, books, clothes and other acoutrements this little girl has. I don't think K and I will get to use her luggage allowance for any of our stuff.
After these very short flights to Wisconsin we decided we needed to buy Emma her own ticket. That way we can have not only a teensy more room, but somewhere to put the carseat so that we can lay her down and also a full luggage allowance for her. Which while attempting to avoid the boxes today I did a small assessment of the sheer tonnage of toys, books, clothes and other acoutrements this little girl has. I don't think K and I will get to use her luggage allowance for any of our stuff.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
procrastination
I am so unwilling to face the boxes that I cleaned the kitchen and am now contemplating doing the bathroom. I wish it would sink in that we have just under a month before we arrive in Nairobi airport but I can't seem to make the whole trip real.
Friday, July 02, 2010
amputee
You'll be happy to know that the toe will not have to be removed. In fact the toenail was taken off in a very disappointingly undramatic visit to the podiatrist. But My wonderful husband took me for a smoothie afterwards cos I was so brave.
Due to the move I am beginning to have that amputee feeling, like I am slowly being cut off from my life here, and in particular from my friends. I have said goodbye enough times in the past that I know it is never really goodbye in our digital age. That doesn't save me from this strange feeling of being slowly distanced from the people here. Each experience is filled with the "for the last time" emotions. This is the last time I will sit in the garden with J. This is the last time I will go to the movies with these girls, this is the last time I will sit on this porch and drink this perfect cup of tea. I must not allow these to be sad moments though but rather, and in a very cheesy way, happy moments to hold close.
Due to the move I am beginning to have that amputee feeling, like I am slowly being cut off from my life here, and in particular from my friends. I have said goodbye enough times in the past that I know it is never really goodbye in our digital age. That doesn't save me from this strange feeling of being slowly distanced from the people here. Each experience is filled with the "for the last time" emotions. This is the last time I will sit in the garden with J. This is the last time I will go to the movies with these girls, this is the last time I will sit on this porch and drink this perfect cup of tea. I must not allow these to be sad moments though but rather, and in a very cheesy way, happy moments to hold close.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
moving forward
So we had movement today. No letter but at least info from the person who ultimately signs the letter. This means we are for sure going to Kenya. In a fit of excitement I filled the dining room table with things to pack and then instantly lost the desire to pack them. This means that there are many more places for Henry to perch, sleep on and climb into. Tomorrow I hope that motivation will return.
Incidentally, I must be addicted to sugar. All I have been able to think about all day is ice-cream.
Tonight Emma had a long evening nap and was ready for bed at 8:20 but just couldn't focus on nursing. I decided it was perfect timing for the sleep training and put her in her crib and then stood with her and shushed til she fell asleep, my hand on her belly. The beginning of this was a little rough as Oleo was determined to get in on the action and wailed and cried outside the door but once K had dispatched her with some kibble Emma fell sound asleep. I am very curious to see if she wakes in an hour and a half as she has been doing.
In other news, my toe which I dropped the cat flap on may be gangrenous.
Incidentally, I must be addicted to sugar. All I have been able to think about all day is ice-cream.
Tonight Emma had a long evening nap and was ready for bed at 8:20 but just couldn't focus on nursing. I decided it was perfect timing for the sleep training and put her in her crib and then stood with her and shushed til she fell asleep, my hand on her belly. The beginning of this was a little rough as Oleo was determined to get in on the action and wailed and cried outside the door but once K had dispatched her with some kibble Emma fell sound asleep. I am very curious to see if she wakes in an hour and a half as she has been doing.
In other news, my toe which I dropped the cat flap on may be gangrenous.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
legs akimbo
Well so much for my last idea of blogging about Emma. The whole deal with Emma is that I either have no time for blogging or am too tired to blog. Blerg!
At any rate - we are moving to Kenya. Or so it seems. The official letter still hasn't arrived but we have been proceeding as if it has. Until last week, we got to the point where we have done all that we can do to be ready. Boxes have started piling in the lounge, creating a throne from which Henry can observe us superciliously. Passports have been checked, and in the case of Emma, requested at the PO.
Just an aside here... how fabulous is this country that you can get your passport at the POST OFFICE! "Yes Ma'am, here is your document that opens up the whole wide world for you, will you be needing some stamps today?". No Home Affairs, and best of all, no surly, disgruntled Home Affairs employees. Postal workers are not famed for their cheerful dispositions but they make Eyore look more like Tigger when stood next to Home Affairs personnel.
Enough digression. We are stymied, stopped and halted and so many more words that I am not going to bother to type. Until that letter comes in the mail we cannot finish packing, book flights, find a house, or decide what is happening with the cats. I have been having nightmares about being in a car driven by someone else, about to crash while a tsunami slowly unfolds on the horizon.
Shoo. Just typing this is making me stressed. Good night
At any rate - we are moving to Kenya. Or so it seems. The official letter still hasn't arrived but we have been proceeding as if it has. Until last week, we got to the point where we have done all that we can do to be ready. Boxes have started piling in the lounge, creating a throne from which Henry can observe us superciliously. Passports have been checked, and in the case of Emma, requested at the PO.
Just an aside here... how fabulous is this country that you can get your passport at the POST OFFICE! "Yes Ma'am, here is your document that opens up the whole wide world for you, will you be needing some stamps today?". No Home Affairs, and best of all, no surly, disgruntled Home Affairs employees. Postal workers are not famed for their cheerful dispositions but they make Eyore look more like Tigger when stood next to Home Affairs personnel.
Enough digression. We are stymied, stopped and halted and so many more words that I am not going to bother to type. Until that letter comes in the mail we cannot finish packing, book flights, find a house, or decide what is happening with the cats. I have been having nightmares about being in a car driven by someone else, about to crash while a tsunami slowly unfolds on the horizon.
Shoo. Just typing this is making me stressed. Good night
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Baby stuff
So there have been requests to start blogging again. On thinking about it, this seems like the perfect venue to be all baby all the time. I do try not to be so the rest of the time in order to preserve some part of my brain not related to being a mother. Also this way people can choose to hear all about Emma, and also watch me slowly lose complete control of my life and mind. They can also choose not to. It'll be like Bridget Jones' diary but hopefully less pathetic. Ooh but maybe with a little Colin Firth.
K just remarked how we get to choose to do one fun thing each day. Today he took the cats to the vet and I had a couple of gf's over for afternoon chat and snack. OK - so his thing was less fun than mine but on Monday he gets to play basketball and I get to have a driving lesson, so fair's fair.
Emma snacked all day, so I guess this could be one of those growth spurts where she is hungry all day. She seems to have this weekly. Looking forward to the Pediatrician on Tues so she can tell us if it really is a growth spurt or just a day where she feels like a little of this and a little of that.
She does this thing that I love where when she has had enough of a breast she throws her head back, releasing the nipple and making a lip smacking noise. Then she stretches her arms far above her head like she scored a goal. What is it they say? Laduuuuma! Maybe K will get a soccer player after all.
Day two of waking up planning to wax my legs.
K just remarked how we get to choose to do one fun thing each day. Today he took the cats to the vet and I had a couple of gf's over for afternoon chat and snack. OK - so his thing was less fun than mine but on Monday he gets to play basketball and I get to have a driving lesson, so fair's fair.
Emma snacked all day, so I guess this could be one of those growth spurts where she is hungry all day. She seems to have this weekly. Looking forward to the Pediatrician on Tues so she can tell us if it really is a growth spurt or just a day where she feels like a little of this and a little of that.
She does this thing that I love where when she has had enough of a breast she throws her head back, releasing the nipple and making a lip smacking noise. Then she stretches her arms far above her head like she scored a goal. What is it they say? Laduuuuma! Maybe K will get a soccer player after all.
Day two of waking up planning to wax my legs.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
BFF
If it weren't for the fact that I am still finding bits of cat hair in orange and black attached to bits of cat skin around the house when we have been out, I would think these two were thawing towards each other.
Scones for breakfast!
My friend J gave all the crafternooners this recipe. It takes a total of half an hour to make and the scones are delicious! I used self raising flour instead of regular and was rewarded by fluffy scones. I also used half a teaspoon of cinnamon and craisins instead of currants. J is right that this is a dangerous recipe, far too easy to make, far too easy to enjoy. They apparently freeze well but I would have to make a double batch as this batch didn't last past breakfast.
The recipe: http://inediblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/dangerously-easy-scones.html
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Daisy
My latest office mate. She came in touch-sensitive so that she would nip everyone who tried to touch her, but after hanging out in my office for a week she has become a little snuggle bear. She is a pit bull mixed with some boston terrier, and with that mix it's no guess why she likes to climb up on my lap and look adoringly up at me while I work. Too sweet.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
can't believe our eyes!
Well Oleo wouldn't even sit on someone's lap for the longest time. She also detests Henry. Tonight Henry was having a nap on K's lap, as is one of his most favourite things, when Oleo climbed up, mushed K's belly till it was satisfactorily soft, and laid down right next to her orange arch nemesis. We were dumbfounded and I had to share. I know our Irving Str. roomies will be dumbfounded too.
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Ice storm
I have always thought that a fresh snow was incredibly beautiful but had never taken the time to think about how ice could be the same way. After an overnight ice-storm the other night it took us twice the amount of time to walk to the bus stop because I had to keep stopping to admire. I also took some pics, but again, on my cell so just not great photos - they don't do the ice justice at all.
scaredy cat
This evening Henry had me in stitches. He is apparently deathly terrified of stink bugs. There was one crawling around on his cat condo and he just kept backing up and around as the stink bug got closer and closer. His little fluffy face was so funny as this teeny wee thing invaded his space. By the time I got around to taking the photo the bug had made it all the way around and Henry was studiously ignoring it.
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