Spanish Woes

Tonight might not be the best night for blogging, especially if you want a cheerful one. Working with the Spanish is a trial for me. Their way of doing things is so not American. Actually from what I hear, America is the only place that acts like us. For instance, being on time. This is not an issue for them. Calendar, alarm clocks, day planners, PDAs, these words don't translate into spanish because they don't exist. Don't arrive early to anything unless you want to wait, and wait and wait. Planning, well that word isn't in the spanish language either. Now "winging it" is. You want to know the agenda for any event...that word doesn't translate either. I just thought of another word...worry, spanish people don't do that either. Mi esposo tells me that I chose the right group of people to work with, I can do all the worrying for them. This blog really is therapeutic. As I sit here listing all these difficulties, my daughter is in South America experiencing all this first hand. At least here they do have to conform somewhat. They are in America.

Finally my sister in argentina has emailed me back in witch i am happy for. but she never really tells me aboute whats going on up their or down their i don't know if it's up or down i can't remember anyways she never tells me whats going on so this time i told her to tell me in the next emil to all aboute argentina because i dont know what it's like becuase she won't tell me. hopfully her next email is long because that will mean that it's packed with all the information aboute argetina. i think that since she's down their she should at leaste tell us aboute the food. well she used to do that but she doesn't even do that anymore. i hope her internet is not always down hopfully so she can tell me all aboute argentina in her next email. i am sooo excided about her next email.

Back Issues

I have had aching back issues for a good portion of my adult life, well at least the part since having babies. At times, it is very painful. It is primarily in my neck and lower back and affects my arms and legs. I have had a cortison shot in my shoulder. That is no fun. I have made many visits to the chiropractor. I have always been a clutz and got hurt. When I was younger, I was quicker at stopping falls and preventing major disasters from my clutziness. When I did get hurt I recovered more quickly. As I have gotten older I have had more injuries. 2007 was the year of injuries for me. I even had a broken bone, pinky toe, but broken bone still. All that said, my back is in awful shape. Consequently, I had my first massage this week. It was Monday, today it is Thursday and I am so sore. I have two Icyhot patches on my back. I need to visit my chiropractor too. My massage therapist says it will get better. She could tell me like my chiropractor does....why did you wait so long. I guess if I didn't wait to get it taken care of it wouldn't be so difficult to make better. I do hope this improves the situation.

Tennis has started for Andrea. She is playing at Ed White. It is quite the diverse team unlike the undiverse team she used to play on. Of those that are trying out, there are 4 hispanics, 4 oriental, 1 black and 2 whites. I heard quite a bit of espanol on the court. They seem to be very nice young ladies and the coach seems pretty cool.

Tennis and more

I am not very much in a writing mood, but I need to keep up with this, I think I will be glad that I did. Yesterday we were busy celebrating the King. Today we ran errands and worked diligently on school. Andrea began tennis conditioning today. Tryouts are next week. While we were waiting for the coach, three girls were speaking Spanish. The team is mostly Spanish and orientals. All in all, it looks like a good year. The softball team was practicing next to the tennis court, they really looked pitiful. I think they need Krista. Hopefully I will be more creative the next time I write.

Changes

I began this blog when Briana left for Argentina. I wanted her to be able to keep up with daily life here, such that it is. I didn't want her to get too homesick. Well....she doesn't read it, I am not sure anyone actually does. When I was in Colombia, I posted a detailed report of our activities there. It has actually been good for me. I have never been much a journal person, but I am finding it kind of nice. Briana's leaving has been difficult for me, in addition to getting old. I am driving everyone crazy in my family. I am thankful that they are staying with me. In the midst of all this, the girls still at home have been working diligently at school so that at least is not a headache.

Wednesday, Andrea begins tennis. This is always a busy time of the year for us. She is making a change and playing at Ed White instead of Trinity. There are a lot of opportunities involved in this. It will be good for her to move out of her comfort zone a little bit. We pray that she will be a good testimony for this team and maybe some girls will come to church with her.

Krista has been dying to play on a sports team. The age difference would put her and Andrea at different schools and would really make scheduling tough. We decided to let her try another sport in the fall. We mentioned soccer. As with everything else, she jumped on this with both feet. She bought a soccer ball and has had Joanna and her father in the drive way playing with her. She thinks Joanna needs to be the goalie. She will be good at whatever she does.

Joanna has been outside playing soccer. Today thier dad was out there with them and they played fraction soccer. Joanna won. Maybe she will be able to play soccer too.

More than enough

It's not as if we aren't already croweded at 1149 Pecan Cove, now we have one more. Yesterday we were walking/running/rollerblading. The whole clan which consists of Mom, Dad, 3 kids and 4 dogs. As we were walking a puppy started following us looking for attention. She followed us home and stayed. We have tried walking her back to where we picked her up. She still comes back to us. She has stayed right by our back door. We haven't let her in the back yard with the other dogs. I did finally feed her this morning because I felt badly that she was with out food. Tomorrow our plan is to put up posters. The girls have taken pictures of her. She is a very good dog but I am certain she belongs to someone. I do hope we find a home for her because she is going to be a huge dog.

Briana is gone

She actually left on Saturday. I haven't been able to write about it until now. This time was much more difficult than the first. Not only is she going to be gone longer but we now know what it is like. She left in September with 200 lbs of luggage and a computer with skype ready to keep in touch. There was wireless available for only a few pesos a week. What we didn't know was how often it would be nonfunctional. We didn't know they would change how it was handled, going from an all user system to first come first serve, only allowing 15 people on at a time. There were those that found where the router was and would disconnect it dropping everyone online so they could hook up. I bought a phone card and sent the information via email, she couldn't get the information and didn't call. I sent all the information back with her, or so I thought, the pin number was not on it. She did call using someone else's phone to tell me this. She is having a difficult time. Things are quite unorganized. She doesn't have a room yet. She doesn't have a work assignment. She doesn't know what is going on yet. She is short on sleep. All in all, she is having a rough start consequently so am I. Let's keep her in our prayers that she will be comforted.

Melody

2008 is here

Another year has passed. I can't believe how fast the years fly by. 21 years ago this evening I was anticipating getting married the next day. I am thankful for the family God has blessed me with. Briana has had a great year in Argentina. She loves Palabra de Vida and has made many friends all with the same goal, serving the Lord and learning Spanish. Andrea is gearing up for tennis. This will be a different year as she will be playing at Ed White this year. Joanna has had a great year in school. She has become very independent. She is expressing an interest in computer science. Krista, well she is Krista , very much loving life, her dog and her family. We all have our goals for the year. Mine involve fitness. I have had four major injuries in 18 months. Three in the last 6 months. My sholder is still messed up. This has hindered my tennis play so I have to come up with another plan for fitness. Joanna and Krista will be working on keeping their room clean. Andrea's are tennis related. Of course, Briana wants to finish her course at PBB. For Jimmy and I working on our spanish is always a goal. He says I need to get in with both feet. Pray for me as Briana leaves on Saturday.

God Bless you in the New Year