Lucky Lucky Lucky

Lucky is how I feel today...well today and almost everyday lately. We are just having such a great experience. My instincts were correct in our coming here...the impact it is having on all of us is incredible. We did, however, have a small tragedy this weekend.....but a life lesson learned in the most delicate of ways. A dove flew into Nell's window and injured itself. Nell and Mapenduzi (which means revolution) saved the bird and it became Nell's pet. This was Saturday. Sunday Mapenduzi leaves our property and goes to church and sees friends...Nell waited by his door ( he has a little house on our property) literally most of the day. When he got home she got Amy, pronounced Aamy....to feed and bathe? She and Pearl proceeded to bathe the bird 7 times....then run around the yard with it to dry it...applied "baby wax" (still not sure what that was) and then were trying to train it to perch on the swing they made. Well...Amy passed away in Nell's grasp....as she put it "two big tears squished out of her eyes" I think it was bath related...but I'm not a vet. So we have since had a burial and many discussions about the circle of life etc. I have had to tell them both all my childhood pet exploits...like the time I accidently boiled my fish, or the time our "male" cat had kittens or sadly....dead Fred. Luckily I was allowed lots of pets to learn these lessons....I need to remember this when we go back...pets for the girls are important regardless of the outcome. Our next animal endeavor here are chickens...Nell and Mapenduzi are building a coop....then we go to the market and choose our chickens. Can you imagine that ride home? Where should I put them? In the trunk? One of the main reasons Nell wants chickens is because she still has an egg she got at a friend's farm a few weeks back..she thinks it will hatch under these new chickens...hmmm.
Today is glorious weather-wise...a bit dusty but really to know this weather is continuing basically the whole time we are here is GREAT!!!
Neerad a friend of mine has just written me that he would like to visit. He just finished a movie that was filmed mostly in Sierra Leon...it highlights the diamond mines and their juxtaposition to the rapculture and bling. He has had it at several film festivals this summer. He wants to come in March and when the kids are on Spring Break I may travel with him to see where he filmed. I have never been to the West coast of Africa...could be very interesting.
Pearl is a major digger...almost everyday she comes home to dig in the same spot...it is nice for them to be able to be free,dirty and happy. I love to secretly watch her out the window because she is always singing...she makes up the funniest verses...I'll write one down next time togive you an idea!
So Skype has been working well lately...glad to talk to you!!!!!! Our Skype name is Sarahnellpearl if you want to talk to us...best part is...FREE!!!!
Oh...I feellike I should put a counter on my page to chronicle how many times Robby has been up and down the mountain JUST since we have been here....we have been here almost 2 months and he has been up and down 8 times.....sheesh....those of you that have done it know what I am sayin here...SHEESH.
Love to you all!!!!!!
Sarah