Stopping by

This finds us on the road again (going places where we've often been)...so I'm once more back to sending from my mobile device. The pic is of my work station in this cozy little apartment (cozy only because I have mastered the art- Thanks, Trude!- of building a good hot fire in the stove and keeping it nice and toasty without smoking up the whole house). Speaking of- remember the Mother-in-law post? One of the first on here...well, she's STILL 'ours'; one of her self-imposed duties is to zip over here when she hears we're coming and build a fire...but the funny thing is- you'd think that, with years of experience, she could build a smokeless fire...but she can't. Which really chokes you up...we finally convinced her legitimate dau-in-law (our friend) that it's not necessary to 'trouble' her like that, the days are getting quite warm and there's just no need... And so, this time, the house has been smoke-free. With allergy meds, I'm managing just fine- can breathe and all...that is cause for celebration! Really, we need to get Josh R over here to build the fire! I will never forget him and the fireplace in their W Rapids house...those were some major fires!

Anyway, we are aunties!!! Yay! Our contact back west had a little girl this morning- no name yet.

ANNNNNND- when we got to the girls' Thurs eve, the first bit of news was- Sveta's going to America for the summer! Oh really, I say- where? To Wisconsin. Well, do tell! Where in WI? To Wisc Dells... Of all things. So that is the big news of the day there. It's a summer work program for students, so I have a feeling she won't be having much free time, but I did say I would see about having some of my friends look her up.

Today is International Women's Day- a holiday as important here as Mother's Day is at home. So, basically a quiet day for us as people are busy with their families. We did see our friend and her kids... Yay.

Take care and have a good weekend! Sp Mtgs in IN! Thinking of you all!

a bad time was had by all

OK, here it is. What happened. All of it (as I remember it- and I've been seriously trying to forget it for 48 plus hours and not succeeding). I'm pretty sure my Mom tried to bring me up better; don't blame her, it's not her fault.
I'll start like this- the more I ride 'em the more I 'very-much-strongly-dislike-have-no-affinity-at-all-for' trains... esp the night ones.

Looks so innocent from here, eh? hahaha









And yes, we have it much better than some places. Ticket prices are such that we can get a sleeper compartment with 4 beds (2 above, 2 below) that are reasonably comfortable.

There you go. Upper and lower. The other 2 are across from these (it's very elementary, My Dear.)

Really, how to launch into this? We got on the train- 7.30 pm (there-abouts). Nice and early. Should be a decent night's sleep. (OK- here's where I contradict myself- I don't get 'decent-night's-sleeps' on trains- there's cigarette smoke, rocking, jolting, swaying, clanging, banging, lights flashing, hot-as-an-oven heat, people coming and going and talking and sometimes getting into your compartment at 2 am because, after all, that's when the train reaches their town so what are they supposed to do? and more... and somehow, I just get tense when we get on the train.) So we're on. In the compartment next to ours are several young males (I refuse to say 'young men' when referring to them) and they are drinking and already talking funny. I'm instantly tenser. But, I'm also prepared for moments like this. I know how and where to lock our door (and do-these guys don't look like your average ordinary drinking male Eastern Eur'n- they look more like Polish bad-attitude gang guys- and I don't like it.) Fine. Also, I have a cd player with book cd's (currently Russian) and also ultra-relaxing very soft 'you-heard-it-at-your-dentist's-first' instrumental music- because I know I might need it. I get ready for bed and plug myself in... as the party next door winds up. This goes on for hours and I keep thinking, I'll hit a stretch of Denise B (hi Denise- did you know your piano relaxes me?) soon that'll block it all out. At midnight I switch to earplugs. Sometime around 1 am, I give up and stick my head out the door and find them all congregated not in their compartment but in the hallway, spilling over in front of our door.

(this is how narrow the hallways are- this one has some much nicer people congregating in it)

I say, "Please, can you be quieter? Some of us are trying to sleep." I have not done this before because they don't seem like the kind of drunks you want to open a dialog with... but I know I'm going to do something crazy soon if I don't. So I do. One of them coke-bottle-glasses looks at me and says, "Please excuse us, I'm sorry" and there is instant silence and withdrawing into the compartment. (Turns out that guy was from another compartment and he went to bed then.) About 10 min later, they're back in the hallway and singing...loudly... I take a deep breath, open the door and see a knot of males...drunk...holding more liquor than you'd care to see... another deep breath and plunge through them to the other side and down to the conductor's compartment. "Please come do something about these guys" I say; "we have a full schedule tomorrow in Kyiv and so far haven't been able to sleep at all because of them and I asked them nicely (it really was nicely) to stop..." she follows me back down the hall. Keep in mind that she looks to be about 18 and is about 1/3 my size. She talks to them and I head back to our door. I become aware that one of the drunks is loudly complaining that I bumped him and stepped on the top of his foot when I headed down the hall (I'm sure he's right- how could anyone get through there without bodily injury?)- and he keeps on complaining about me and my getting the conductor... and at this point, IT happens. IT has never happened before. I don't even remember how or anything- suddenly I had 2 glasses of some sort of booze in my hand and dropped them on the floor and then the next minute I had a completely full bottle of vodka and bottle of beer in my hands and I was on my way to the toilet. Dumped the beer, pitched the bottle; vodka trickling out so simply drop the whole thing into the toilet and open the hole at the bottom and it hits the tracks beneath us... then I go back to bed. And this is where I think "What did you just do? Do people like you DO that?! Yikes." Huge adrenaline rush and I'm shaking...and as happens, post-adrenaline, I also fall asleep... for a bit. Fast forward to 2 am. Knocking on the door. The conductor... with a (faint) police officer... (yes indeed)- "Ma'am we need you to come down to my compartment and fill out a formal complaint"- thankfully she said that fast enough that I didn't have time to pass out before she got it all out. Away we go. First I apologize to the conductor for 'losing it'; she says, "No, no need. I'd been there 3 times already and tried to stop them and had no success; so I called the police; we're kicking them off the train..." gulp. And Whew. I'm not sure what all I thought could have possibly logically taken place, but of course, this is the thing that makes sense. There are cops always on the trains (I'm pretty sure) for just such occasions...and they have the right to 'deboard' unruly passengers. Since I talked to the conductor, they figured I was the likely one to fill out a formal complaint. Which I did. The cop dictated it to me since I've never in my live-long life done anything of the sort- and especially not over here (perish the thought). And then I signed it. And then he escorted me back to our compartment. Because them boys was NOT happy. And they were in the corridor. Gulp. And then he escorted Ala down there to co-sign. I never asked her if she was happy about that or not... not much point, really. Who would be? Well, the rest of the night was quiet all right... and short. Cops left about 2.30; train arrived at 6.30... yawn. Last night, coming back, was blissful in comparison. Somehow, I don't think this is going to help the big picture 'try-to-relax-and-sleep-on-the-train' thing... but I'm glad enough to have had a very positive experience with the law enforcement over here...just sorry it had to happen. And how sorry...

Here are some of us, at another time, happy and cozy in our compartment. That's me on the top bunk...

note: This is far and away the worst thing I've ever encountered on a train- let me make that clear. It can be noisy but never have I seen anything like this before. I've never felt unsafe on a train.

a little Tues am humor

I have a friend who sends me funny things... really funny things sometimes. Checked my email this am after getting back and found this...and it's too good not to share. So, here you go... LAUGH.

First Kiss

It's your first kiss and several questions might come to mind:

Is it the right time?
Is anyone watching?
Does your partner even want to? Is your breath fresh?
Then you say to yourself ---------
'Oh well!'and so you just go for it!!!

Happy Birthday!

to my very first punching bag! My very own brother (OK -I do have 2- but this is Paul the oldest of the 2- and the Uncle of the kiddos in the other pix.) When we were little, I'm pretty sure I got us into more trouble- but Mom caught on pretty fast- and so did Paul. Pic was taken by our brother Ken on his phone- so not the best. ***Hint: dear Uncle Paul- I'd post a different one if I had it. Not that he reads this...

Happy Spring!!

In Ukraine, spring officially began March 1st. So, in honor of days getting longer, more sunshine (yes, we've had some beautiful sunny weather lately!) and pussy willows busting out all over (not to meantion the willow trees turning yellow), here's the only pic on my iPAQ remotely springy- van Gogh's Irises. HAPPY SPRING everybody! Yay!!

Ala and I came up to Kyiv Sat eve (there is a story about that trip- I'll get it posted here); nice to have a couple days here. The trip up was so... ummm... memorable that I'm still recovering. Just in time to take another night train. There's no way, though, that this trip could be as bad as the last one...surely... Take care! And happy sunshine!

Happy Birthday!

Madi and Miki just turned 2!!! I can't believe it! That must mean it's special mtg time in IN- since I missed the births by about 24 hours due to rounds beginning. My brother Ken, loaned me his work truck (which at the time had something funky going on with the starter or the 'keep-it-running-after-you-start-it' mechanism)- what a trip. Big old Ford full of tools in the back and you had to get it good and warmed up before it would stay running. Biggest thing I've ever driven- fun, too! At the end of the trip, there was my very own little sis with 2 of the tiniest babies I've seen! Of course they weren't that small- considering they were preemies and twins- but they looked teeny-tiny to me! Anyway- here they are! Happy Birthday, Sweetie Pies!

Happy Birthday!

Owen just turned 3! He was 4 1/2 months old when I saw him first- a beautiful happy blond baby. In this picture- one of my favorites- he's 1 1/2, at conv and I guess it was hot and he was thirsty. Smart boy that he is, he knew where to go! They tell me he's a natural clown. Big hugs to the Birthday Boy!

edit: Just got a pic of the same kid same position (nearly) at 3 years of age... same fridge. Conclusion, the above pic is at home...

I'm laughing

at the comments from the 'stash' blog... or 'haul' or whatever it's called... Ala and I went for a walk yesterday -I was trying to prove to her that L, the town where our 2nd bach is- is NOT a village! (Long story, but I guess when you grow up in a city any place where you actually have to build a fire for heat and hot water and where all your cooking is either in a toaster oven - Thanks, DeAnn and Aunty Mavis!- or with propane gas- well, that place is a village! I can understand, actually- but I happen to like our little village!) Anyway, back at the ranch- took this famous walk and couldn't keep my skirt facing forwards... You know what I mean, it kept turning around and around... in other words, IT NO LONGER FITS... IT'S TOO BIGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!! Get it?! I'm still losing weight... I'm not bragging, just stating a fact. It's just the way life is when you do mostly your own cooking for 1 or 2 people and half the time run out of appetite before you run out of food on your plate. It's great. (Of course, I'm still not skinny by a long shot but I feel good.) It also helps, of course, that my 2 legs are a main form of transportation around here...sighhhhh

And, here's a pic somebody just sent me...Yes, I'm still eating chocolate! Ha!

And one last thing- we're still pirates here. The kid from upstairs talked to me last week- can I hook up to your router with my computer? Talk to the guy downstairs, it's his hook-up. Off he goes. Today, we'd been home about 10 min when here he comes- can I get my cable hooked up? Fine. Long story... he has no real tools (like a drill)- but he does have 2 long metal spikes, a pair of pliars, a hammer, a screwdriver and a knife- and determination. He's trying to get that cable through a wall that's actually 2 layers of brick/cement (not sure which) and then through to the internet switch. And, he has no jack on the end of his cable- wanted to know if I had the tool to clamp the jack on with... I'm laughing inside at this. Really, you greatly overestimate the person with whom you're speaking. Anyway, he's making it work... I'd say he has a bright future...cause he won't let a little thing like adversity get in his way... Let's just hope he finishes before A gets here or he's going to hear from Matthew... chpt 13... ;) take care!

haha

I don't much care about boxing (in fact, it grosses me out- I don't even enjoy the *famous* Louis L'Amour boxing stories) HA! But take this, Mr Sultan...hahaha

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=3261735&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines

Can't do hyperlinks on my iPAQ so here's the whole link. Just picked it up on my google reader... Chalk up another one for Ukraine!! W00T W00T... It's sort of how I felt last year when the Colts won the Super Bowl- like, really, generally, Who Cares?! Ahh, but right now I DO!!! Ha!

We had a quiet day- saw our friend and her dau. Will see them again tomorrow. Nothing else (visit-wise) worked out :( Everyone's either busy or out of reach. Cell phones are a wonderful thing...if you've got decent network coverage. I'm beginning to think that Teresa really lives in 'no-man's land'...at least no cell-phone-coverage land. Someone's getting her auntie's phone number-then I should be able to call and say: Have Teresa be there at *this* time at which time I'll call back (a few minutes later than I say-just to MAKE SURE) and maybe *maybe* we can talk... This is when I realize we still do live in a sometimes awkward place... Pretty great place, though, overall! Tata for now... I'm off to see what else is happening in the world (has Serbia torn apart Kosovo yet? What's new with the Pakistanis? Is Turkey still in Iraq?What about the opposition leader in Kenya?- it's a crazy world...)

Comments

Yup, Martha- you're right; you did the right thing!
I guess it's really hot down there, Karla. Reading blogs back to back from Argentina and then Wisconsin makes me glad I'm not in either place. It's feeling and looking like early spring here- drippy and muddy but warmer finally.
Ok Shaun [I like Sarah's trick- S***n :)]- you got me! Well you know- some kids just walk really early! She's a cutie!
And Wow- Chloe's going to be a regular farm girl! I'd name that last calf Hank (Hank hank hank).

Resorting to this method of commenting again...

Happy happy happy

We're on the train and I feel a big rant coming on so I'm going to try to distract myself further by BLOGGING...and remembering a cute story and telling YOU! [It's Friday and the train is full of kids going home for the weekend and every third one has their cell phone cranked up playing annoying tinny music-that's the big deal. In fact, there are too many of them to even consider asking them to turn it down.]

Several years ago we heard a story about a little boy, adopted from (Russia??- not sure- I think so and I think I know who the child is but not sure so will leave it at that)- the child had previously lived in an orphanage, never had much to call his own- then was brought to America and given TOYS! Also, Little Jr didn't know English but was certainly old enough already to know some things in the self-control department. How to teach him though? Well, Mom and Dad simply told him over and over "Don't be mad, be Happy; don't be mad, be happy". Then, a little friend came over to play (or was it the arrival of a sibling?)- at any rate, suddenly there was the same number of toys but someone with whom to share them...and Little Jr did NOT like it. But he'd been there awhile already and was trying really hard to remember to share. Someone found him sitting by himself fiercely saying over and over "Happy happy happy happy happy..."

This is a lesson to myself. Accompanied by what Jane E told us often the year I was with her: Enthusiasm, while it lasts, lends itself to any task; Determination spurs us on when all joy to do is gone; But true submission, day by day, will take us safely all the way.

the haul

Did you ever wonder what it is we (OK, I) bring back from Poland? I always come back with more than I took... just little stuff, you know. There are a few things that we can't get here that are available there... and then there's always the stuff that comes in the mail. So far, we haven't used the PO here for much more than sending. Here's a look at what I picked up this time:


3 calendars (thanks Dad!), map of Warsaw, 4 pkgs Orbit spearmint gum, mail (!), pkg of green curry paste, Reese's cookies (direct from America- Yay!), Milka chocolate (Thanks E & T), Lindt chocolate, popcorn, pretzels, slivered almonds, Snickers Cruncher candy bar (can't get 'em here!), kleenex, nylons (thanks, Mom!), 2 bottles of Mrs Potter's hair conditioner, calcium tablets ANNNNNNNNDDDDDDDDDD 5 cans of Dew!!! Not to mention 'The Coat'


ok- I put all that stuff away. I noticed that I have a little 'secret stash' of things for when... what? when the going gets tough? Not just sure... but all the chocolate went into that stash, also the Dew and the pretzels. Already in the stash is a jar of green olives (yum... take that all you black olive lovers from Theo and Sarah's famous post!) and a container of really good orange juice! (not from concentrate and no preservatives added). In case you're wondering, the stash can go untouched for a long time (weeks, months)... and then disappear in short order. I have never really figured out what triggers a snack attack, but it seems they do happen... anyone else do this?


My dad has a secret stash, too... and when Justin, my sister's oldest, learned to crawl, he found it and headed there every chance he got. I found it when I was home, too- it was a wonderful source of Nutty Bars, Twinkies and the like! When JennaMae (baby #2 for my sis) could just barely talk, Dad and I were at the dining room table with Ju and JM and JM would not be happy with anything she was offered. She kept saying some mysterious something. Finally big brother says, "She wants a donut"... and sure enough, Dawdy (my dad) had gotten one out of his stash and forgotten to offer her one! She got one and was all smiles. Dad says his hero when he was little was some little old man he knew (relative??) who ate sugar on his ice cream. So was there really any hope for us from the start?


How'd I get on that? Hmm... bedtime again- I'm actually fighting the urge to snack... and thinking about the days ahead. Tomorrow we head to the east part of the field. Hope to see our college student contacts on our way back; there's also the boy that reminds me of my oldest bro- this fall we asked him: Do you still read your Bible in English? and he so famously answered: Well, I've been watching a lot of Amer movies lately... sighhhhhhhhhhhhhh (that's not what reminds me of my bro, by the way). Anyway, something about him that keeps us in touch from time to time, so I'll see if we can run him to ground. And, there's the girl here in town that I cannot for the life of me get in touch with... grrrr... sometimes cell phones get stolen and then numbers disappear and change and you just hope you run into them again or that they come looking for you... and there's Teresa way over yonder- I'd like to see her again. And V&L- but V's sick again. So much to do, so many places to be- and transportation, distance, living circumstances are such a limitation at times. So, we'll see what all we work in this round! Take care and maybe I'll post while we're on the road... and maybe not.

Farewell to an Old Friend

So here is the old coat that I've had since Green Bay days... my old favorite...you know- you just can't get rid of it even though it looks a fright already.

Well, 1st day in Warsaw last week, had 2 hours at the 'Bubble Mall'- downtown W'saw, open about a year and really nice. Walked into the Esprit store because I saw a shirt that I liked... then saw the sale rack at the back and found...



This! Amazing- right color, right size, unzips from the bottom as well as the top, side zips on the sleeves, inside 'safe' pocket for valuables, 5 pockets on outside (one at the top by the zipper and for cell phone and coin purse), snap on hood, hood that stays up even (not always falling off when you're cold)... The best thing??? Original price: 559 zloty (just over $200); sale price: (ready???) 129 zl (approx $40).

Does it surprise you to know that it came home with me??? We are becoming very good friends! I'm such a goof when it comes to hanging on to old comfy clothes- so finding this coat made it easier to send the other on its way.

haha- self portrait

The new coat with the new scarf from Mom (see, the coat even accidentally matches the scarf I already had)


And since I'm in the mood to post bad pix taken with a cell phone, here's the new scarves mentioned earlier

the brown one





and the green hat and scarf

ummm

I'm actually soon off to bed- just winding up on Google Reader. Go try this President's Day quiz for kicks- ha. I missed some obvious ones and got some totally obscure ones...but I'm tired, right???

George Washington has something to say.

Got back from Poland- always glad for an uneventful border crossing. Had Sat eve through this am (Mon) up north; now, after most of the day on the bus, we are both 'just glad and thankful' to be here! Ala's wiped out; I'm better able to relax 'on the run' so am still perking ok (Oh, and I only had 3 cups of this today:

Do you reckon that has anything to do with it??? ha)

And, umm, speaking of google reader- this came on a redneck post of some kind- I don't very often click on links but when I do, I usually laugh... no exception here. Which all just goes to prove that it's really really time for bed. 'night night

Dear Trude

She may be a punching bag but she's MY punching bag not yours...

haha...

Can I do this?

So yes, I got this off of Wendy- Thanks. Just wanted to put it up since my thoughts go your way so much these days- three brave ladies and their friends! Dear friends stay close in heart even though a few miles are between us!

who knew??

that there was so much Nutella stuff out there... this is me, home alone for the 2nd day in a row :( so I'm checking my morning mail and google reader- and find this Nutella treat in the food list. Hmm, sounds interesting. Actually, sounds almost too too much...

Home alone because I got a cold and the people Eleanor and Tammy are seeing today (and yest) are elderly and sickly and 1st in line to catch anything going around. So, here I am. Now, down time to get caught up and do stuff is rare, right? Right. But, here I am in E & T's apt and where are they???? Off 'doing stuff' and here I am... somehow, it's no fun. I am, however, going to try my bestest to get something done anyway...

Dear Laura

Sign your name and I'll know you saw this! :) This link (OK, this isn't a real link, since this computer seems to take particular offense to the link button...but here's the address: http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/blogs/editor/2008/02/happy-nutella-d.html?mbid=rss_epilog) This is for you!!! I'll see if I can go find some and eat a big dollop in honor of you and Nutella Day!!! xo

Sitting in an email cafe with Yulia; going to go look at coats soon... I'm still wearing the one I got in Green Bay in 1998 (!)- are you there, Cheryl? Remember that one? I guess it's time to get a new one but I hate the hunt... ughhhhhhh

Had a very special time this am- really REALLY nice to see these folks again. Have been staying with the same family we were with in Jan... ahhh- sweet kids, special parents!

Off to Poland tonight- see you in Warsaw!

laundry...

A first for me to do laundry like this. This is in Letichiv- at least there's a machine (known as 'machynka'- which is the affectionate little diminutive form of the word; I could get affectionate for it, all right, since it saves some of the back ache of doing sheets and towels by hand)...

so, here's the little beastie:

toss in the sheet... watch it disappear

all this little thing does is agitate the laundry for about 6 min... but it beats scrubbing away by hand!

Take it out of the water and 'akuratno' (ie carefully- we must maintain balance here) place it in the extractor:

which does its magic. After that, it's back to the tub where you rinse in lots of water and then back to the extractor to spin again...and then hang on a rack. Dries in no time flat and Presto! You're done! yay!

checking in

Ala and I left our bach Tues am; since then, we've had a few train rides and a few bus rides and several very nice visits with some of the best people in the world! :) Now, we're up here in the boys' area. We both need to cross a border again for registration purposes; she goes up to her parents' tomorrow and Karen F and I head over to Poland (Warsaw!) Sun night.

Flu's still going around- we were exposed last night; I stocked up on anti-viral today and am hoping to ward it off. Weather is colder again but mostly clear and sunny (you were wondering, admit it...)

Big news here in Ukraine- we are now members of the WTO...so I wonder what, exactly, does this mean? Haven't heard anything 'on the street'- do they like it or not...

Yesterday waiting in the Khmelnytskiy train station, I saw this on the arrival/departure board: Not sure how visible it is, but everything is written in Cyrillic script except for 1 letter in 1 word "Sімферополь"; Ok, a few of those letters also exist in English- but the S does NOT exist in Cyrillic. Nothing big, just sort of amusing; I wonder- did they run out of С's- that S should be a C...

And, for your reading enjoyment, I give you this: Retired Boomers- trains Colin did a bang-up job of describing his night train adventure! I think you can about picture it...

Take care and all that!

what's for lunch?

Found some salmon in the freezer that wasn't getting any younger

thawed it, washed it, dried it and put it on foil; squeezed a bit of lemon on it; brushed olive oil over the top and salted it; sprinkled with lemon pepper seasoning; added a layer of sliced mushrooms






then more layers: grated carrots, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle dried dill, add chopped leeks, lemon pepper, more mushrooms, more carrots, more leeks, more olive oil at the end






into the oven! (Notice the flame at the bottom? Shouldn't be like that but I think we have a stove with 'not all of the original parts' so this is how it is!) 50 min later... took it out and ate.

Ala's comment? Very tasty. Well that's happy... we have slightly different food tastes but are bravely eating each other's cooking!

Without getting political, let me say the thing that immediately came to my mind was my little nephew's Bob the Builder story... When I was home, Justin loved all things 'Bob the Builder' and his favorite was the 'Bob the Builder YES WE CAN'. Only he'd say, at top volume, "...YES WE TAN!"

Apparently, Obama (or his speechwriter) doesn't have any little people in his life that are nuts about Bob the Builder...or he'd have chosen a different phrase...

"Not About the Results"

by

Pels Rijcken

if you're wondering what THIS is all about, just click here (and then just remember that I'm waiting for lunch right now...and just had my coffee...but, alas, no donut...)

Happy Birthday!!!

Dear Lindsay,



Happy 21st Birthday!!!! Are you having cake today? Without ME???? Imagine... All the best and have a special day! xo

all pix, of course, snarfed from your own posts...hahaaaa

for example

Just one reason why I'm going to miss my Trude friend while she's away:

Taking my daily tummy med capsule out of it's foil pack this am (you wanted to know that, didn't you?) and the capsule came apart...into 2 pieces...and little white granules go flying everywhere... Oh my, I say, there's goes all my medicine.

What, she says- your Ritalin?

And we both fell over laughing. I probably should be on Ritalin and she probably agrees. Now where am I going to find that humor the next while...