Could Not be More Excited for July April 13, 2008
Posted by Emily in : Friends, Holidays, My Handsome Husband, Pregnancy, Princess Hannah , 5commentsDid I mention where we plan to move after we party hard in Texas with our friends? UTAH! Yeah! Strangely enough, we are both very excited. Six years ago, we were itching to move away from that state, and now we can’t wait to return! After being away for so long, we are anxious to spend some time with family before David starts clinical rotations. Over the past several years, I have been back to Utah to visit several times, (like probably more than 100 
) but David has only been back a handful of times. As a couple (and not once as an entire family with Hannah) we have been to visit twice. TWICE, PEOPLE.
It is crazy. All we can think about are all the things we love about Utah: the warm/dry summers, fresh corn on the cob, great water parks, hiking in the mountains, THE FREEDOM FESTIVAL IN PROVO, oh yeah, and family. We are so DANG excited to be in Utah for the Fourth of July, it is basically all we talk about. Because it is that fun. When we moved to Texas, I really had high hopes that the Fourth of July would be an amazing event, but it TOTALLY fell short. VERY SHORT. Not everything is bigger and better in Texas, and I can say that because I am a citizen. I have the license to prove it.
Living out of the country for two years has really made us long to be around other Americans, who are PROUD to be American. Especially on the Fourth. Can I just say that it is TOTALLY LAME to have this holiday overlooked? BECAUSE IT IS. Holland doesn’t celebrate our Nation’s birth (go figure) and David has had to go to school on the FOURTH OF JULY the PAST TWO YEARS. That’s worse than having to work retail that day, and not getting Holiday pay.
July is a big month for our family. Every July, we celebrate David’s birthday (on the 19th), our anniversary (on the 17th), and Hannah’s birthday (on the 22nd). Obviously, we can only have big fun events during that month, so it was no surprise to us when we found out this little guy baking in my belly was due in July. Can I just say I am SO GLAD this kid isn’t due until after the fourth? Because I am! I may be “large and in charge” or “large and lovely” or just EXTREMELY PREGNANT during all the festivities, but I’ll be there. Swollen feet and all.
Oh, and in case you were wondering (because I know some of you are out there wondering about this very thing) I DO PLAN to enter Hannah into the Freedom Festival Baby Contest. We are hoping her good looks and charming personality will land her the grand prize. Because the grand prize is tickets to the SOLD OUT STADIUM OF FIRE SHOW. And I’m just going to be honest here, those tickets could not go to a nicer, more deserving family than ours. I can imagine it now: Hannah in bed at 6:15 (which is her usual time, even when there is party going on) dreaming sweet dreams about scoring her parents SWEET TICKETS to the sold out show. And, of course, David and I would enjoy one last night out as a couple before my belly BURSTS open and life returns to “around the clock” eating, feeding, and changing poopie diapers. 
Looks Like Texas (minus the ocean and Palm tree) April 11, 2008
Posted by Emily in : Saba, Texas , add a commentYou know, since we sold our telescope and binoculars, I have lost my touch as “Mrs. Kravitz” of Hells Gate. From the perch on my patio, I usually have a pretty good pulse of this side of the island. I know useless information important things like, which taxi drivers are giving a tour of Saba, who is and is not home, and when/if the boats are coming (even in bad weather) to dock. My patio has given me a wonderful view to watch the comings and goings of everything. I have made it my personal responsibility to be “in the know” so I can pass along Hells Gate gossip reliable information to people who want to know. People often call me to find out if the plane is landing and if it is running on time, how the ocean looks for cliff diving or snorkeling, or if I can tell if someone is home way down the road.
Today was a PERFECT day to be a nosy Mrs. Kravitz when David and I saw something out in the ocean that was very mysterious. Thanks to the selling of our spy equipment, we had to rely on our eyes to determine what the mysterious floating object was. We grabbed our camera, and this is what we saw:
Now, I would just like to point out that this IS IN FACT, an OIL RIG (for those of you who don’t know). I had never seen one until I moved to Texas, and until today, I had never seen one OUTSIDE of Texas. If you look closely, you can see two tug boats pulling this oil rig across the ocean.
Life is full of unanswered questions like, how many Dr. Peppers will cure a headache? Or, how long will Paris (my dog) lick my feet before getting bored? How many more poopie diapers will I change before Hannah is potty trained? Today, poses another “unanswered question.” WHERE IN THE WORLD WOULD IT BE SO IMPORTANT TO HAVE AN OIL RIG DRAGGED ACROSS THE BIG BLUE SEA? Yeah, I’m stumped.
People I’m Going to Miss April 9, 2008
Posted by Emily in : Friends, Princess Hannah, Saba, Thoughts , 2commentsI already miss this guy:
Well, truth be told, (and really, I try to tell the truth) he past away about six months ago. This photo was taken a few weeks before he died. I never knew his name, or his story, but I always had a made up story in my mind about him. You see, he would sit in that very spot, all day, everyday, rain or shine. That particular spot on a one lane, one way road, is right next to Helen’s shop. I always figured he fancied her, or was trying to court her, or something. I think he was there, protecting Helen’s turf while she worked all day. The dude never wore socks, and ALWAYS wore the same baseball cap. I’m sure I could get the real story from Helen, but I wouldn’t want to hear something like, “Yeah, that guy just sits there. No, we’re not dating.” I kind of like the idea that 85 year old Helen had a suitor . . . that really, really, liked her.
This is Clover Hassell, She is our favorite. Hannah refers to her as “CLOBER!” She works at a little gift shop called El Momo and Hannah and I visit her about once a week. She LOVES Hannah, and always wants to hold her even though Hannah weighs about as much as she does. Clover is certainly “in the know” about all things related to Saba and the USA. I never need to turn on the news because she informs me of the USA national headlines. She also fills me in on all the Saba gossip. Which really, is the way of life for Sabans. There is no local TV channel or Newspaper, so the best way to inform anyone of anything is word of mouth. And hey, Clover knows everyone, and about everything.
This is Addie. She owns one of the grocery stores (not the store where I bought a cockroach) in Windwarside. She also LOVES Hannah. Anytime we enter the store, Addie drops whatever she is doing in her office to pick her up. Hannah, of course, LOVES all the attention. Addie saved me when our house was the Vomit Comet and had unpaid for Pedialyte delivered to our house. This is also the same Addie who referred to me as “Hannah’s mom” until a few weeks ago. It’s nice to have my own identity again.
This is a Catherina. She is probably the happiest, person on the island. She is always smiling and and she LOVES, LOVES, LOVES to see Hannah. She loves to pick Hannah up and kiss her cheeks. Hannah loves her because she wears A LOT of jewelry. And really, as long as you have a watch, bracelet, necklace, shoes, or hat on, you can have a very long conversation with Hannah.
This is 10 year old Veronica. She moved to Saba from Columbia about two years ago. She learned to speak English here, and I used to tutor her and her cousin in reading at the elementary school in my early Saba days when I was pregnant with Hannah. She LOVES Hannah, mostly because she can call her “Hannah Montana” and of course Hannah likes just about everyone. Veronica’s mom owns a little snack shop in town and you can find Veronica there just about everyday after school helping with dishes, orders, etc. Whenever she sees us walking in the general area of her mom’s shop, she always drops everything she’s doing and runs out to smother Hannah with kisses. She then tells me all about her life which, is somewhat interesting I might add.
And how could I leave out my landlords? This is Raymond and Joan Hassell. They are wonderful people. When I first met Raymond, I COULD HAVE SWORN he was speaking a foreign language because his accent was so thick! Not only does he speak like a Saban, but he also speaks in “old English.” Statements like, “Yes my dear, it was blowin’ the hurricane, and then we’s house had big problems!” took like eight minutes for my brain to process. I understand him almost perfectly now, but it does take some active listening on my part to really understand what he is saying. I’m pretty sure the dude doesn’t eat either. He smokes cigarettes and drinks Heineken Beer ALL DAY LONG. I have never seen him eat, even at dinner parties hosted by him and his wife. Once, I asked him if he worked off of beer and cigarette fumes all day, and he informed me that he does, in fact, eat about once a day. This is a man who would answer his door at 5:00 AM with a cigarette in one hand and a beer in the other, and he really would be happy and able to help you with what ever you needed.
Joan, his wife, is another one who knows everything about everyone. She is the HUB of ALL SABA INFORMATION. If you want something HOT OFF THE PRESS, call Joan. She has diabetes, and she (as well as many of the locals) refers to the disease as “the sugars.” Even though she is often not feeling well, she is still willing to help other people in need. She is a wonderful woman and I will really miss our conversations.
There are so many faces and places I’m going to miss on this little five square mile island of 1500 people. I hope to photograph a few more faces before we leave. I would hate to have any image of this place fade away in my memory!
Ms. Helen Peterson April 8, 2008
Posted by Emily in : Saba , add a commentI have been car-less since Saturday afternoon. I think I might go stir crazy if I don’t leave my house today. Being homebound for two days in a row is about my limit. While it’s nice to have the car sold, it’s VERY INCONVENIENT. However, David and I are happy to have all our affairs in order so we can leave this country in two weeks with no strings attached.
Two weeks? Did I just write that? Because that is SO SOON! I know many of you are just aching for us to have to spend another two weeks in the beautiful Caribbean.
I took my camera with me last week to shoot some pictures of locals we will miss.
This is Helen Peterson. She is 85 years old and so sweet.
She has a little shop where she makes Saba Lace (a must have for anyone who visits or lives here), and she sells other random household items like deodorant, shoes, ribbons, and fly swatters. Hannah loves to visit Helen because Helen lets her “rearrange” her store. Hannah usually finds a new home for the fly swatters which are at eye level.
Helen was born and raised on Saba and she started making Saba lace as a youth to provide income for her family. She literally walks up hill both ways to and from her shop twice a day, rain or shine. You can see her with her parasol, bags (with her lace projects) and cane making her way up and down the steep hills. This sweet lady also has diabetes and knee problems. Anytime I see her, I offer to give her a ride and she always says, “Well, if it’s not to much trouble.”
Not too much trouble? Even if I was running late for some other very pressing appointment, how could it be too much trouble to give this woman a ride? To spare her knees? To keep her out of the rain? I am really going to miss going to her shop to visit with her. I have enjoyed hearing about her life and Saba’s history during our chats. She loves to see Hannah and she made her a Saba Lace headband, which will fit her head in about eight years.
Hannah Newsletter, #7 April 7, 2008
Posted by Emily in : Princess Hannah , 2commentsDear Hannah,
You are now 20 months old. You are growing and developing so rapidly, I don’t want to blink too long and miss something. You LOVE, I repeat, LOVE to sleep. You point out sleeping babies in books, movies, and pictures. You are addicted to your morning nap regardless of how many different ways I try to wean you from it. Everything I have read says babies give up their morning nap around 15-18 months. You are clearly past that point, and all my efforts to combine your morning and afternoon naps have been unsuccessful. As of today, you take two naps a day, and that means that I have guaranteed “Personal Mommy Time” twice a day. You are also very attached to your bed time of 6:15 PM. When you become a teenager and refuse to go to bed at a decent hour, I will longingly look back on these days when you actually went to sleep early in the evening. Thank you. Thank you for being such a good sleeper.
When you are not sleeping, you are usually busy with your two other friends. You talk about them repeatedly every day. Anytime you mention your friend Josh, you automatically say, “toys?” because Josh has a TON of toys. That kid has it good. I’ve told Josh and his mommy that you only like him for his toys and they are both okay with that. However, when you get older, it’s important that you like your friends for other reasons than their “stuff.”
You are a very active child. Very energetic, happy, and social. You LOVE to dance. Randomly throughout the day you will say, “MOMMY! DANCE!” and then you will shake your bum and wave your hands in the air. You will dance for anyone upon request. Even if you are crying, we can say, “Hannah, shake your bum bum!” And you will because it’s like you can’t not do it. To say you LOVE to go swimming would be an understatement. You LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, to swim. You pull at your shirt and pants and say, “OFF!” when you decide it would be fun to go “swinging.” I am positive you dream about it at night and think about it all day when you are not distracted by dancing. Any time you see pictures or videos of you swimming you will exclaim, “AGAIN!” I guess watching yourself having fun is almost as fun as actually having fun.
In most ways, you are just like other kids your age. However, you are very different from them in a couple of areas. Most kids will say “ah oh” or “oh no!” when they drop food on the floor. When you drop a food item on the floor, you yell out, “PARIS!” and sure enough, Paris comes busting around the corner and eats up the mess you made on the floor. Paris then waits patiently at your side like a sentinel in hopes of more “Hannah droppings.” Second, you HATE messes as much as I do. You cannot eat with crumbs on your fingers or even a little yogurt drop on your tray . . . or the table . . . or the floor for that matter. You get frustrated feeding yourself sometimes because you make such a MESS that you simply cannot concentrate. The other day your dad was changing your diaper and on the black changing pad was some smeared white baby powder from the previous diaper change. You took one look at it and used your index finger to point out the unacceptable circumstance and exclaimed in your outside voice, “MESS!!!” Your daddy handed you a baby wipe and YOU, MISS HANNAH, CLEANED UP THE MESS. You are a very clean baby. You ask to wash your hands throughout the day, and a hand wash is only legitimate when you have sufficient bubbles lathered up all over you and me.
We often visit our neighbors, the McCartys. You love to see them, mostly because they give you snacks and presents. Your dad and I enjoy their company, hospitality, and of course view from their patio. You love to run around their yard and patio that was designed with adults, not children, in mind. We are often chasing you, and you are often running away. A few days ago, when you were running away from us, you fell and hurt your finger. You started cry and ran toward your dad who was on “Hannah Duty” while I was on “talking duty.” You held out your hand to show what had happened, and then YOU KISSED YOUR OWN HAND and urged your dad to kiss it too. Magically, all was healed with a Hannah and daddy kiss.
You are very interested in the piano. You watch a Baby Einstein video that features a piano (among a zillion other things) and you zoned in on it. You love it. You point it out every time you see it and you often talk about the piano during the day. You sign the word pretending to play an invisible piano. The park we visit has a museum. The main perk of going to the park (other than the slide and seeing your two friends) is visiting Sherry who works in the museum. You see, when Sherry hears you coming, she pulls up a chair to the famous ancient piano (which was carried by hand up the Ladder and across the entire island before the road was built) and lets you play it. This is one of the only pianos on the island, if not the ONLY. She is so sweet to let you go at it, and you are most certainly in “Hannah Heaven” when you visit her.
You recognize the piano sound in music. Did I mention you are only 20 months old? Because I’m not sure I could pick out instrument sounds when I was 20 YEARS OLD. The other day, I was showing you a slide show of recent pictures that were taken and I decided to change the background music. You immediately said, “PIANO!” and signed the word. I honestly had no idea what you were talking about until the tenth time you said, “PIANO!” and I realized the new music was a indeed a piano playing Cannon in D. You also recognize the guitar sound and are happy to point out when a guitar is playing. We don’t have either a piano or guitar at our house, but I guarantee you will be in “Hannah Heaven” when we go to Texas and you see that Daniel and Lydia have a piano AND a guitar.
You have entered the two word phase and I want to share some of my favorites:
Lub You! (Love you)
Come on!
Thank you!
Down Please
More Please
Josh, toys?
Paris! Come!
Door open
Door close
Night, night!
Bye, bye
NO WAY!
I need
Fir you (for you)
Bum bum
Daddy go?
Shoes on?
Shoes off!
Pooh Bear
Come see
Go see
Come on!
Bess you! (bless you)
Come ‘ere (come here)
I see you!
See ya!
Going?
See ‘em (see them)
Let’s go!
Peak boo! (peak a boo)
Go Away!
I also ask you everyday to say “seriously” which comes out “Sicily?” (as in the island) and the word “air conditioner” which is pronounced, ” ‘ditioner!” It’s hard not to ask you to say big words, because you ALWAYS TRY to say them. It is so cute and it helps me to look past the times when you are crying and upset about something you can’t communicate, or when you try to wipe the freckles off my collarbone and and tell me “MESS!”
There is no question about it, you LOVE your daddy. I’m pretty sure he holds a special place in your heart because he introduced you to Sprite, chocolate, Ting, Root Beer, and Lucky Charms (which, you only like the marshmallows). He plays with you whenever he isn’t studying and he is BY FAR YOUR FAVORITE PLAYMATE. Even more than Josh, who has so many great toys. You aren’t much of a snuggler, but every once in a while he can convince you to put your head down on his shoulder. He loves that.
I’d like to mention one last thing. You LOVE the computer. More specifically, you love my computer. In fact, I’m pretty sure you think it is yours. I have talked about your “bossy little index finger” here and here, and here it is in action.
This is how I find you when I turn my back for two seconds. I am happy you know how to use a computer mouse and scroll ball, but sometimes it messes up my stuff. If you only knew you were making a “MESS!” on my computer, you would probably stop, because we all know how you feel about messes.
You recently learned that we (your parents) have other names besides mommy and daddy. You know my name is also Emma, and sometimes you refer to me as such. I will ask, “Where is Dave?” and you point out your dad. I’m hoping this new information will help you if you find yourself in a pinch, lost in some big store, and the sales clerk asks you what your mommy and daddy’s names are. I also plan to have you wear an ID bracelet and have you microchiped. You know, SO YOU WON’T GET LOST. Hey, it works for our dogs.
Mess or not, your daddy and I love you. Every day you are like a Christmas present and we are excited to see what you come up with. We miss you 12 hours every night and we often have the urge to peak in on you, or worse, wake you up during your peaceful sleep because you are SO CUTE! Just know these are passing thoughts and we would never be crazy enough to actually wake you up.
Love,
Mommy
Please, Brace Yourself For This One April 6, 2008
Posted by Emily in : Saba , 1 comment so farI thought I had seen it all on Saba. I was pretty sure I had experienced all of Saba’s quirks, like talking to the crazy lady that puts lipstick on her eyelids, hitchhiking, living without a car for six weeks, and suffering though bad weather when boats can’t dock and thus living with without fresh produce.
I had not. You might want to sit down for this because this experience TOPS THEM ALL. IT’S a doosey, a NASTY, SCARY one at that.
A few days ago I bought a few groceries. This is not out of the norm for me because I LIKE TO EAT. I have learned to check the expiration dates on EVERYTHING because I’m pretty sure quality control only exists in the USA. Too many times I have come home only to find out from a “taste test” that the cereal expired several months ago, and the foul stench infecting my entire house is UNOPENED SPOILED MILK.
I thought I had done a through job of inspecting all my purchases, UNTIL I GOT HOME. I opened up the string cheese to give Hannah a little snack (because she requests cheese ALL THE TIME) when I noticed NASTY GREEN MOLD on it. YUCK! Okay, I know cheese IS IN FACT MOLD, but I DO NOT LIKE CHEESE WITH THE WRONG COLOR OF MOLD. I was ticked when I saw the expiration date was last month. Okay, I’m an idiot.
Then I pulled out a box of cereal to give Hannah a little snack to help her chill out while I made her something “healthy and delicious” and wouldn’t you know it, THE CEREAL WAS NASTY STALE. Yup, it also expired last month.
Okay, I am trying not to rip David’s head off at this point (because it is OBVIOUSLY ALL HIS FAULT that I purchased expired stuff) and I decided to make Hannah a grilled cheese sandwich. Oh, boy, this is gross . . .
I just happen to turn the “fresh, made daily on Saba” loaf of bread over to inspect it. It had a teeny tiny COCKROACH on it! TOUCHING THE BREAD! IN THE BAG!
You can just say it. I BOUGHT A COCKROACH. I bet you’re feeling better about your life right now.
As if I wasn’t worked up enough about my other bum purchases, I had a freak out moment in my kitchen, where I thought my whole house was going to explode with cockroaches, and as if David wasn’t already in enough trouble for the purchases I made, I held him personally responsible for inviting this NASTY thing into my house!
Really, I’m sorry to have blamed David for all the GROSS, EXPIRED FOOD, but when you’re pregnant, it is perfectly okay and rational to BLAME YOUR SPOUSE FOR EVERY BAD THING THAT HAPPENS TO YOU.
I made him dispose of it. It is his job of course, TO FIX MY PROBLEMS. I couldn’t possibly return it to the store. Cockroaches have a very special ability to reproduce almost instantly. They can become an army within minutes and I SIMPLY COULD NOT LIVE WITH COCKROACHES IN MY CAR AS WELL.
My house HAS BEEN cockroach free since we moved in. I haven’t seen another one since the one I purchased, but I still have my eye out. I MOST CERTAINLY will not miss this part of Saba.
An Uncomplicated Life April 5, 2008
Posted by Emily in : Saba , 1 comment so farI sold a lot of junk this morning. Really, it was JUNK by USA standards, but “PURE AWESOME STUFF!” by Saba standards. It feels good to clean out my house and de-clutter my life.
A few days ago, a cute little lady (who I will not name because maybe she wants to remain secret, and MAYBE I can’t remember her name which she has told me a thousand times . . . ) who works at one of the grocery stores stopped me and asked if I would be selling any hot pads at the garage sale. Hot pads? She wanted to buy my old used hot pads? I felt sick to my stomach that this lady, who works in a grocery store where they ACTUALLY SELL HOT PADS, wanted to buy my old ones. The locals on this island are really the salt of the earth. I realize that no matter how much time I spend on this island, I probably won’t ever have the same mindset they do about conservation, going without, and making due with what you have.
After our conversation, where she also told me, “DON’T THROW NOTHING AWAY!!!” I pulled out all my good towels, good sheets (which of course are at least 500 thread count) and most certainly HOT PADS to give specifically to her. I also put a TON of items (like clothing, baby stuff, heath and beauty stuff, you know, STUFF) into several garbage bags to give to the locals. I was absolutely shocked when some women were rummaging through the bag of beauty items and they asked me what EVERY ITEM WAS. LIKE THEY HAD NEVER SEEN OR HEARD OF IT.
“What are these?”, um . . . toe spacers for when you paint your toes . . .
“Is this for your hands?” No, that would be FACE CREAM. It’s not La Mer, but it is VERY GOOD.
“What do you do with this?” It is hair gel. I OBVIOUSLY couldn’t live without this PARTICULAR GEL, so I brought down 16 bottles. BECAUSE I THOUGHT I WOULD DIE WITHOUT PROPER HAIR CARE PRODUCTS. Since I have 10 bottles left, you can see how much I used it here.
“Can you use gel as conditioner?” That would be a BIG FAT NO.
I felt so bad for these women. How could they have lived all this time without ever going to a proper salon? How could they really know the joy of life without ever experiencing a spa pedicure (which I indulged in two days ago thanks to my thoughtful husband who gave it to me as a Mother’s Day gift LAST YEAR) or manicure, or full body massage or facial?
As the sale continued (it was a blow out sale. Start to finish was 90 minutes) I had a girl buy my barely worn, hardly used, almost straight out of the box hiking boots. She didn’t try them on to see how they felt, or IF THEY EVEN FIT. She just bought them. She also picked up several pairs of David’s shorts (from a free pile of stuff) for her husband. I’m not sure her husband is the same size, but they don’t seem to care about fit. Clothing covers your body. What else do you need from your clothes? Fashion? No. Comfort? No. Proper fit? No.
Today, I found myself thinking about my upbringing in America. I am very particular. I don’t just care if my shoes are the right size, but I care how they feel and what they look like. This thought process is most certainly from being raised in a country where people have expectations, standards, and MONEY. Most of the people on this island are quite poor and don’t have access to anything. Shoes are not really available to buy, neither is clothing, or books, beauty products, or electronics. They live such a simple life, and really, they seem so happy with their uncomplicated life.
I hope to return to the states more well rounded, and happier with what I have. This island has taught me a lot (like REALLY UGLY CURTAINS can become not so ugly after two years) and I really hope to incorporate the simplicity of the Saba lifestyle in to the complicated, fast, and busy lifestyle I know awaits me at home.
My “UGLIFIED” Standards April 4, 2008
Posted by Emily in : Saba , 1 comment so farI “UGLIFIED” my house yesterday. I took down all my window treatments, and other household items that I own so I could sell them at a garage sale tomorrow. My house looks really different now. The original curtains that were in this house are really ugly. In fact, I won’t be posting any pictures for two reasons:
First, when I saw pictures of the house before I arrived on Saba, I had a physical reaction when I saw the curtains. How could someone live with those? How could I look at those for two years? Could I really be expected to live with those nasty things? Looking at one photo was all I needed, and I came prepared when I landed on Saba with my OWN APPROPRIATE CURTAINS. That I could look at. For a long time.
Second, Saba has really done a number on me. When I put the old curtains up, I ACTUALLY SAID THIS TO DAVID, “I thought they were uglier than this. These aren’t that bad.” WHAT? ARE WE TALKING ABOUT THE SAME FABRIC THAT MADE ME THROW UP A LITTLE BIT IN MY MOUTH TWO YEARS AGO? I can’t possibly take a photo of my newly “uglified” house because that would just make me a little embarrassed at how much my standards have slipped. As if the photo of me with the stained shirt wasn’t proof enough that I have let my standards slide.
Things are really coming to a close. We leave in about three weeks and I find myself asking the same question ALL DAY LONG, “Do you think we need this? Do you really think we will use this in the next 21 days?” It is amazing how much I can live without and CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT, regardless of how much time we have left. Like, I’m just not sure I can get rid of a BRAND NEW CREAM OF TARTER BOTTLE because WHAT IF I NEED IT? I’d like to point out that I have NEVER used cream of tarter on Saba. Not once. Never. BUT WHAT IF THE NEED ARISES IN THE NEXT THREE WEEKS? Really, you should be prepared.
We sold our lovely car. I was really surprised at all the interest in the car and the offers! Who knew it would be such a hot commodity? I understand that by USA standards, this car is a piece of junk. But Sabans live by different standards. Cars don’t loose value, and they sometimes increase in value. Such was the case with our car. We bought this car for $2,000, (and I know you wouldn’t pay more than $500 in the states for this car that boasts NO A/C, no radio, and a manual choke) and we sold it for $2,250. Nice. On an island where 90% of the cars are valued at $5,000 or less, NO ONE really cares what they drive.
I am frantically trying to get all my affairs in order today and tomorrow because as of tomorrow night, I will be car-less. And, I know from past car-less days from the many times our little car has been in the shop, that I REALLY HATE BEING STRANDED. Starting Sunday, I might need some Prozac myself.
New and Improved Cove Bay April 2, 2008
Posted by Emily in : Princess Hannah, Saba , add a commentFor the past few weeks, the only YEAR ROUND BEACH on the island has been under construction. The beach itself was very rocky and the main place to hang out in the water was more like an over sized tide pool. In my opinion, it was okay, but with the new improvements it is great now! I won’t bore you with all the “before” and “during” pictures (because we’re kind of snap happy around here and we took a lot of pictures. LOTS of them.) I’ll just bore you with the “after” pictures. Those of you who lived on Saba may not recognize the “New and Improved Cove Bay.” You’ll probably want to plan your trip back here just to see it:
There is now a beach . . . a beach with SAND and not a million ROCKS.
Hannah seems to like it.
It’s very kid friendly.
Needs a Prescription of Prozac, or a Puppy April 1, 2008
Posted by Emily in : My Former Dog Children , 1 comment so farKyaha is our depressed dog. She is a great snuggler, but she is sad ALL THE TIME. Often, she will drag a toy around with her, or tote her tennis ball from room to room. Part of me feels really guilty that I don’t exercise her more, like I’m the worst dog parent on the planet. Theses are a few shots of my depressed dog, dragging her toys around. Secretly, I think she needs Prozac.
She loves yogurt, and often I will find her on the patio snuggled up to an empty yogurt container that she has licked clean.
She watches her ball very carefully when she eats. It can’t move even a hair or she will pounce on it.
She is chewing now, and still, the ball is under her very watchful eye.
Oh good, the ball can take a breather . . .
Now she is on the patio. She has high hopes that someone will chuck this ball to the other end so she can chase it with all her heart. That is the great thing about dogs, even though they don’t speak English, THEY MAKE THEIR NEED/WANTS/DESIRES VERY CLEAR.
She has given up hope that we will play with her, so she has resumed her usual lounge around spot on the bed. Of course, she still has her toy and ball close at hand.
Please Note: None of these items were placed or staged by us. She really is in NEED OF SOME EXTRA LOVIN’. Maybe we should have let her have puppies.
