Coffee bag purse

I recently (today) repurposed a coffee bag sack into a purse. After envying one a friend purchased and not having the $ to purchase one myself I determined to make my own. One of the small benefits of living in Nicaragua is that burlap coffee bags are relatively easy to come by and were inexpensive.

I love that it's called repurposing and not recycling.... not sure what the difference is.

I couldn't seem to restrain the flash of my camera sufficiently - thus a very pink looking interior that in acutallity is red. I must admit to being a wee bit proud of successfully integrating a zippered pocket, a pouch pocket, and a snap closure.

I'm feeling so crafty - I may just make another!

98 and warming

Dust clouds in my classroom
Ridiculous weather
Yesterday I was ready for rain

Suffocating heat
Everlasting dust
Anyone who likes this must be crazy
Simply unbearable
Omnipresent heat wave
Never ending

Number the Stars

As a book report after reading "Number the Stars" Lily wrote, produced, and acted in a short skit based on a scene from the book.

I love how the dogs are straining to get to the food in the basket.

My new not-so-new-wheels

I am officially a truck owner now. After nearly 3 years of living in Nicaragua without my own wheels, I finally changed that status. For those that need the details, it's a '96 Ford Ranger, automatic, 2 wheel drive. Nothing grand, but it's got a good track record and I'm praying it holds up a few more years.

I feel so blessed. Thanks to all those who helped with financial contributions and prayers. I keep telling people I feel like I'm 16 again, as I have new-found freedoms but have become so accustomed to living without I hardly know what to do!

oops

So my students were presenting their book reports on Number the Stars today. Like a good teacher I was taking pictures while listening. I must have turned on the timer by accident. After trying a few times to get the camera to take the photo I turned it to see if indeed the light was flashing. This is what I got.

In the middle of a students' presentation I completely upstaged them as the camera flashed in my eye.

It must be time for a vacation!

Where I live

This is where I live.

Apartado 14A, Quinta Allyson

Yes, my house is smiling at you.

Living room that showcases a hard won chili cook-off trophy, and a prized rooster portrait by my nephew Titus. My roommates have thus far been gracious enough to let me hang it in a prominent place.

more living room

Messy Kitchen

The window on the left leads to an open-air laundry room.

My bedroom

My first "real" quilt that I made this past summer. It is also the inspiration for the wall colors. We have a great used clothing/home items store here called Mega Botique. I got the bed skirt for $3 and the chenille blanket for $2.

You don't really want to see my bathroom, so I'll just show you enought to insinuate what it looks like. It comes fully equipped with sink, toilet, and shower (of course).




So there you have it. This is where I live. Come visit me sometime. The couch is always available.

Lunch discussions

We have numerous and assorted conversations as elementary teachers over lunch. Of recent interest seems to be my inability to show sympathy. It's true, I don't like to hear people whine and I tend to have no sympathy when someone is sick.

In explaining that I come about it naturally I was explaining that while growing up we needed to either be vomitting profusely, or maintaining a temperature above 101 degrees before expecting any help or sympathy. As I was telling how my mom used to tell us that if we hadn't taken something for a headache she didn't want to hear us whine, a roommate walked up and said"that's exactly what you do!"

It has now become a running joke/challenge to whine to me about all ailments and illnesses in an effort to work on my sympathy. Good luck to them, however I don't think my ability (or inability) to sympathize is something that can be changed.