Emily’s Musings

Three days and counting. I have felt GOOD for three whole days now! I hope this is the beginning of something new, something long-term. I can handle pregnancy, AND be a mom at the same time when I feel like this. Yesterday was not only a good day because I felt good, but the weather was beautiful. It was 80 degrees outside with a very light breeze. The other islands were so clear you could see cruise ships docked. The water was so calm, it looked like wedding cake frosting. Yum . . . And to top off the great day, we got Christmas packages! These packages were sent way back in November, but with the “speedy Caribbean Mail system”, we didn’t receive them until yesterday. And can I just say that ANY mail is exciting to get down here. Especially when we get boxes, with candy and presents and food! Yes, people care about us, it’s true. It’s a comforting thought.

My crazy friend Michelle sent us a box with LOTS of stuff. Mostly fun things for me, one thing for Hannah, and a couple of things (food things) for David. I know she likes me the most because she TOTALLY hooked me up. Oh, how I miss civilization, especially Bath & Body Works and other fine retailers. Hannah received a toy vacuum which she loves and has used constantly since it came out of its packaging 24 hours ago. Too bad it doesn’t really vacuum, I could use an extra set of hands around here.

One care package is very exciting, but two?! Yes, we got TWO yesterday! One of my best friends from childhood, Tricia, sent a gift to Hannah (a darling wall hanging with a doll made with Alpaca yarn. It’s so soft, it’s better than cashmere!) and one to me (sorry Dave, I’ll share my candy with you). She and her husband lived in Russia for a couple of years and she KNOWS what it is like to NOT HAVE ACCESS TO STUFF. She totally understands what it’s like to GO WITHOUT. She very thoughtfully put in some candy Whoopers, Nerds (which are not available here), and Skittles. And can I just say HOW excited I was to get Nerds? I totally forgot they existed, and when I saw them again, I couldn’t understand how I lived without them for so many years! I’m pretty sure the last time I ate them was at her house in 1994 from her old Halloween stash of candy that she rationed throughout the year. We were probably listening to Doug Stone and talking to our boyfriends on a CORDED phone. What a treat, seriously.

To top the day off, our lovely snowbird neighbors, the McCarty’s from Connecticut, are back for the next four months. Hannah, of course, received more gifts (which I think she is expecting from everyone now, just for being cute). One of the gifts was a Hello Kitty purse (just her size) with a UTAH quarter. Why is this special? Because when you don’t live in the United States, you kind of forget about things that other people are excited about. Both David and I had completely forgotten about the “new quarters” and every state getting their own signature design. I didn’t know Utah’s quarter had come out and we certainly had not seen it, so it was a thoughtful and fun surprise.

Although I don’t expect more “Christmas gifts” today, I am enjoying the left over “high” from yesterday’s surprises. I have been eating Nerds candy as I write this post and my happiness has increased by 100 percent as I savor the tiny, tangy, crunchy things. Yeah, they’re that good.