Walk in Our Shoes

CNN is doing a great iReport this weekend, click on that link for more details.

They are encouraging viewers to video a one minute walk in their towns. Then CNN is going to make a virtual walk around the world.

If you can stand to watch CNN, it may be a neat show- let me know if you see my video, since I won't be tuning in here! :)

Here is my friend Sharon and I walking on my street... Enjoy

How to make a person's day--- especially one who is far away from home!

Send them something.

I realize that I am preaching to the choir here, since most of you reading are family or close friends that already do these things for us! But I thought I would draw attention to your kindness and let you know how wonderful it feels to be remembered when you are far away from home.

Proverbs 25:25- "Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country."

Some ideas-

1. Send them an email around the holidays, or anytime! It can make a person's day. Just 3-5 sentences can spread cheer world-wide! Attach a picture. It is good to see how your garden is growing, your yard filled with snow, your kids are getting bigger, your last hobby event.
2. Comment on their blog or Facebook status update. It is good to hear back from those you write to. The blogging/Facebook world is an interesting one because the reader is attached to the writer but the writer doesn't know who's reading or who's not and can in turn feel less attached to their reader when they hear nothing. Interesting. I look forward to my inbox every morning to read blog comments. :) I know, I'm so self centered!!! :)
   
3. Write a letter. No need to go to the post office, it's .97 cents now, I think. Just pop it in your mailbox. Write something nice, tuck in the comics from the paper, a great article from a magazine, a stick of gum, a spiced or mint tea bag or an instant drink mix if you want!
   
4. Mail a small padded envelope mailer. We just received one- it cost $10 to mail it here. There was a small Strawberry Shortcake doll and cat for S, a cool color changing Hot wheels for W, a couple of sheets of stickers, a nice card and a CD for us. What a treat!
5. Send a CD or movie- they are cheap to mail as well. It is the gift that keeps on giving. If it is in our house or circle of friends, we watch it. Many of you have saved us by sending more TV-- bless you! We were about ready to have to watch all the seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer-- yes they are in Sukhbaatar! We have watched SO many things we never would if there were choices- but there is not! That is why as grown adults we watched ALL the seasons of Smallville (which I like by the way, but how many times can there be an evil villainous student at Smallville High? Come on!) I just got a mix CD in the mail from a dear friend. It is so so so wonderful to get a new set of songs and NOT have to hear the same thing I've heard 49,8 million times! What a wonderful gift. Here is a snippet of my thank you note,

   "Music is like a memory of a certain time to me! It is like the fabric of my mind that has been the sound track to my life and my memories are embedded into it… You know?"
   

6. Just as a heads up, you can have the flat rate international (or domestic) box delivered to your home if you go onto USPS.com. You can also schedule a pick up at your home, with your regular mail person--- no need to go to the post office! Wahoo!!! I don't know about you but going to the the post offices with my children in tow, ranks up there with getting a root canal! ;)
7. Send a great big, giant box full of wonderful presents and elaborate gifts!!! Ha ha just kidding. This happens for us quite regularly, thank you everyone.

We are so looking forward to Christmas. We got 2 more packages today and our closet is filled with wrapped goodies. I CAN HARDLY WAIT to open them! I feel like a child on Christmas. It takes every fiber of my being to NOT open the gifts right away!!! I am so impulsive! and yet responsible because they are safely wrapped in the closet!

PS- For all you grammarians out there, so sorry for yesterdays SEVERAL typos and more than my normal amount of grammatical errors. I don't have the heart to edit it now-- so there it sits in all it's horrid splendor. Good night!

Heading to UB

In the morning, I'll be heading down to UB. It's 0 degrees here today, but it feels warm because it's been -20. Hopefully this "warm" weather will hold up for a couple more days!

I have been having side pain for a while, so I am doing to have it checked out at the doctor tomorrow. It is probably nothing, but better safe than sorry. I'll be prepared to fly down to Korea if it's something serious that requires surgery. Sharon has agreed to come with me to Souel if that's needed-- that's the plan! I'll keep you posted.

George and Dashaa are driving down to UB in search of car parts so I will hitch a ride with them. I'll also shop at some toy stores to look for Christmas presents for the children. I'm hoping to find Sierra a dolly stroller and maybe a doll house for her birthday coming up in a couple of weeks!! I can't believe she'll be three soon!

Then I'll look at some import stores for a Thanksgiving turkey. We've never had turkey since we've lived here, but maybe this year!

I'll go to my favorite cafe to have a mocha and my favorite salad with tomatoes, sweet onions, feta cheese and cucumbers!

Sounds like its a good thing I have this side pain, so I can go down for a little time away!

I'll be staying at the apartment by myself... I may even get to sleep! What will I do with myself? Oh ya, and there is HOT RUNNING water too... ya- a bath has my name on it and a book to read in silence. Maybe this is "medical leave" time!

Freaky Rolly--- a mommy brag!

My kids are so imaginative and creative. Now they are playing camping. Peter draped a king sized blanket over their dressers and some chairs. They are looking at the "stars" (a light on low) and eating pretend mealworms (on Nim's Island- she eats mealworms) and chocolate chips! :) They have a bit of pretend water in their tool box and they are having a great time.

Another game Weston made up is "Freaky Rolly." All you need is a thick roll of duct tape. Then you sit on the floor and roll it back and forth to one another. If it hits the person's foot,he calls that a "hoof" and it is good. Everyone gets to yell "HOOF, HOOF, HOOF" like a cheer. If the tape rolls to the into the goal--- we yell, "Freaky Rolly!" He also made a new way to roll it by making a ramp. He puts up his knees and rolls the tape down the front of his shins and says, "RAMP!" We all like playing it. It's super freaky!

They just came out of their room. They set up two 1.5 liter bottles that Weston filled halfway with water and they are throwing the beanbag frogs at the bottles. They are "bowling" in the hallway!

He makes up the games all by himself. I know my kids miss out on somethings like T-ball and ballet classes, but they get to stay home, make up games and pretend to their hearts content. When I see them playing like this, all my worst fears of ruining them by taking them out of our homeland and living here are laid to rest. They have the opportunity to have an old fashion childhood where they enjoy making the most of their imaginations and I think it is a wonderful way to grow up.