A Nurse's Notes

Not Snow

We had LOTS of hail today!

Changing Weather

Since I arrived in Washington , the weather's been wonderful.  Beautiful blue skies, golden trees, and snow capped mountains.  But today while I was walked the Chehalis-Western walking trail, the clouds rolled in and the wind picked up, tearing leaves away from branches, sending them flying.  It was beautiful to watch...until the rain started.  And the rain's been falling ever since!  I guess the wet Washington weather had to come sometime during my visit!

Arlington

Wednesday I spoke in Arlington.  The drive there was a bit expensive as I went shopping for some new clothes!  (Guess that happens after two years of no shopping!)  J  It was exciting to see how the church has grown since my high school Bible quizzing days.  After a great dinner with the church people, I shared about Rwanda.  They were extremely generous, giving money to feed "my" kids in Kibogora's malnutrition program. 

Babies R Us

I went to Babies R Us yesterday to buy a package of plastic pants to have on hand if we have another orphan baby.  Wow!  How much "stuff" we Americans need for one little baby!  When orphaned Baby Grace was at our hospital, she needed very little:  a blanket in the middle of a bed for sleeping, 2 bottles (one to wash while using the other), a can of formula, ripped up flannel sheets for diapers, a beach towel to tie her on your back, bath towel, vaseline, 5-6 outfits, 3 pairs of socks, and she was set.  No Boppy, no baby monitor, no crib or pack 'n' play, no bottle warmers, no swing or bouncing seat, no stroller, no diaper bag, no pacifiers, no toys, etc.  Guess all of our "stuff" isn't necessary!  J

"My House"

My sister and I own a house together.  So while I'm home, I'm staying in "my house."  There've been a few changes, however, since my grandmother now lives here with my sister.  So although the structure is "my house," everything inside the house belongs to my grandmother.  I'm having to learn where things are because although the drawers and closets are the same, the contents are all different.  J

Home Church

Yesterday I spoke at the Olympia church where I grew up.  It was wonderful to see friends, many from my childhood, and also new folks who've been e-mailing me in Rwanda , but whom I've never met.  I walked around the church, looking at what is new, different, and the same.  J  And it was the first day I didn't take a nap in the afternoon.  Maybe I'm getting adjusted to the time zone. J

Pathetic

It's pathetic!  Here I am in a house with the thermostat set at 72 degrees, and I'm freezing!  (My grandmother gets cold easily, so she keeps the heat up.)  I'm bundled up in a heavy sweatshirt and scarf, yet my nose and fingers are still cold.  This morning I crawled back into bed just to get warm.  72 degrees isn't that different from Kibogora's temperature, so why am I so cold?!!!

Time Zones

It's good to be home to visit with my grandmother and family.  I'm still working on my presentation for Sunday so have been a bit antisocial, but am trying not to be. :-)  Last night I went to visit my coworkers at the hospital where I worked two years ago.  We chatted until 2:00 a.m. which didn't help me adjust to a new time zone, but fun.  These last two mornings, I've wakened at 7:00 a.m.  Not sure why since that's 5:00 p.m. Rwandan time.  Oh well, I'll get adjusted…hopefully, soon!

In the USA

It was 40 hours start to finish, but I arrived home at 9:00 p.m.  I'm exhausted, but there were no problems with the travel.  So now I'm off for a good night's sleep and will write more later!

No Gas

Today the gas station attendant put about 2 ½ liters of petrol in my tank then the power went off.  No power, no gas!  Thankfully, before he finished writing up my $3.00 USD bill, the power came back on. A full tank of gas:  $114.00 USD!