Sunday, November 16, 2014

My first centipede

Since we got here, everyone has been asking me if I had found any centipedes. I had seen pictures, but hadn't seen one in person until this week. It was pretty creepy. They are super fast (maybe it is all those legs?) and much too big for comfort. Anyway, I was sitting on our couch watching some White Collar which is what I do for some of my alone time at night during the hours after the kids get to sleep and before Jason gets home. I finished my episode and was getting up to go get ready for bed and I see it scurrying across our ugly linoleum floor. I pulled off my flip flop and whacked it as hard as I could. My neighbor probably wondered what was going on. That didn't even kill it, but a few more hits and it stopped wiggling. So, yeah, it was pretty gross. Sort of an initiation to living in Dominica though, I guess. Here is a picture.


Oh yes, update on the washer. I know everyone was concerned for me. :) We did buy a new hose and were able to hook the hose right up to the back of the washer. Our previous hose was a cut off one, so it didn't have the right end. So, now I just have to go downstairs to the backyard once to turn on the water after I have pulled the hose up from below and hooked it up. Our neighbors use the same hose for their washing machine, so I can't leave it hooked up and on. But yes, it has saved me a lot of time and hassle, so life is good. 

So, here's a fun thing about living here. The produce here is very interesting sizes. We have huge avocados, some tiny bananas, skinny carrots, and small potatoes. 




The avocados and bananas are local, but the carrots and potatoes were from the States. Jason had the idea that maybe they were the rejects from the States, so they send them to us. Kind of a pain to peel though. I'm not looking forward to peeling a bunch for Thanksgiving. Maybe I won't sign up for mashed potatoes. The Ross Spouses Organization is putting on a Thanksgiving dinner here on campus, so that should be fun. Jason still has classes that day though which is a bummer. He will probably just come eat the dinner and leave. One of the cons of studying outside of the US is that you don't get American holidays off.

One of the annoying things about our apartment is living by the noisy street. Not only the sound of the cars and trucks and motorcycles that drive by, but they are often playing such loud music! It is seriously ridiculous. It is the worst on the weekends. It is also worse these days because it is election time here. I think the election is on Dec 8th, but every weekend there are people who drive down to Roseau (another city about an hour away) to campaign, I think. They drive by honking and playing music really loud. And they go in caravans, so there are like 15 cars/buses that drive by for a few minutes honking all the way. William is going to learn to sleep through anything since his bedroom is on that side of the apartment.

We were so happy to get a visit from Jason's parents last week. It was fun to spend some time with them and be able to show them a little of this beautiful island we live on. It felt like Christmas when they came because they spoiled us by bringing a bunch of fun stuff. We were sad to see them go. William still asks to go see them. He says, "Papa. Go." It's pretty cute. He loves his Annie and Papa.

Visiting Trafalgar Falls with Annie & Papa.
William really liked Peter, our driver/guide.
The beach by Fort Shirley. Our last activity before they left
and the one thing Jason got to do with us. 
The kids are doing well. William continually amazes us with how smart he is. He learns new words all the time and has started combining words like banana and please together. It's fun. Savannah is growing well and loves smiling at everyone. I will see her smiling in church and look over to see someone several feet away smiling at her. She must have good vision. :) She loves to watch William do stuff. He is a sweet older brother, but still is getting used to her. When she touches him or his trucks he isn't too happy, but he will kiss her and laugh with her and share his trucks occasionally. 

Or help bathe her
She likes her fingers
My sweet happy girl
Jason and I are doing well. I see Jason for a quick lunch and dinner most days and then it is back to studying for him. He does take Sundays off from studying, so that has been nice to have him home. However, he just got called as Branch President here, so he will be even busier and probably gone a lot on Sundays. The mission president extended the call yesterday. He and his wife were very kind and encouraging. They emphasized that the call was from God and not just because it was "our turn" to serve. I know that is true and that Jason will be able to handle the extra demands on his time and will do a wonderful job. 

Well, that's all for now, folks! Here are some pictures from my phone.

William got tired of waiting for the missionaries
to come over for dinner and decided to serve himself.
I find him like this pretty frequently.
He likes to watch tractor videos on youtube
and tries to find them by himself sometimes.
Then he gets distracted and starts picking
the keys off the laptop keyboard.

Enjoying some pool time
She slides down in her stroller a lot.
She's a squirmer.
This was a very rainy day at Mero Beach.
William didn't mind a bit though and
had fun playing with his friends.