I am a grandma!

Well, I am back.  Nairobi was the most amazing thing I have ever done in my life.  I loved it.  Got in Wednesday around 10:30.  Had a lot of trouble sleeping.  Woke up around 4 a.m. had a coffee, and managed to get back to sleep.  Thursday morning:  Got up and had a lovely breakfast.  My driver, Peter, came and we went for the morning visit at the Trust.  I almost couldn't think, I was so tired and so emotional at seeing the babies finally.  They were absolutely wonderful.  Then I went back to the hotel to recharge my camera and have a bite.  Peter came and got me and I went back for the evening visit.  They say it is only 45 minutes, but you do get 1 hour with them.  Returned to the hotel for dinner and a good night sleep.  Got the dinner, not the sleep, though. Friday:  This was my day for the private visit.    Got lots of pictures of the monkeys in the courtyard.  Peter picked me...

Ok.  Less than 48 hours until I leave.  I haven't been writing very much this week, not a lot to tell.  Greg and Allie had a bad car accident yesterday.  Both are a little sore, but o.k.  Took a few years off my life and gave me a few more grey hairs.  Kayla seems to be getting over whatever was bothering her tummy last week.  This is good.  Even my ear seems to be clearing tonight.  The cat is driving me crazy wanting to go out, but the windows are closed as it has gotten quite chilly outside.  Tomorrow I will do my laundry, wash and change my sheets, do other last minute stuff.  I cooked like crazy today.  Greg will not go hungry.  He has shepherd's pie, beef stew, biscuits and apple crisp.  He won't worry if the vacuuming is not done.  Just hope Kayla is not too upset when I am not here.  It's only a week, but I have never left her for more than a day or two.  She should be fine.  Anyhow...

Cheesh, Thursday already.  The time is flying by.  Just a little over 4 days until I leave.  Yeah! Not a lot happening this week.  My cousin came and stayed overnight again.  She is getting more and more business here in Montreal.  Good for her.  Hope she starts making some money from it.   She still treats me a bit like a kid sometimes though.  She also does that with my son.  She needs to let up some. Anyhow, Kayla is starting to feel better now.  Thankfully, it is getting cleared up before Greg takes over with Kayla.  He's really good about stuff like that, but I don't want him to have to come home and clean up "poop" twice a day.  Kayla can't help it, I know, but it doesn't make it easier to come into that every day for a week.  Bless her. Anyhow, I don't have much else to say.  My packing is all done.  I have everything in order, I hope.  I am in 7th heaven thinking about this trip....

Such a beautiful day.  Quite warm, so Kayla and I went to the canal.  She had a lot of fun.  She still has a bit of a tummy problem, so I am making up a pumpkin/ginger puree.  It is so good for her. I really have to start thinking about moving.  I have a neighbor who thinks she has to run everyone's life.  I blew up a little at her today.  She keeps telling me I have to tell this other person (I'll call her C) that I am going to Nairobi.  I have barely said more than hello to C in over a year.  So this morning my neighbor tells me she told the C that I am going.  Said C had to know and I should have told her.  Blew up at that.  C has been on a few trips and never mentioned them to me, and didn't have to.  Why do I have to tell every little detail of my life?  Had enough of these so-called well-intentioned people in my life.  I guess I have outgrown them, we have very little in common any more.  The first n...

Not a lot happening.  I'm waiting for my cousin to come in.  She is staying overnight.  Nice to have company once in a while.  Boring at work.  Not a lot to do.  But it makes the days go faster.  We have a long weekend coming up.  Our Thanksgiving.  I have been invited to the ??future in-laws?? for dinner.  That will be nice.  I don't have to cook this year.  Need to make a few more dishes for my son so he is well-fed while looking after my place when I am gone.  13 more days.  Can't wait.  Went and got my money from the bank today.  Also got talked into travel insurance.  A good price and it covers stuff my other insurance doesn't, e.g. my luggage and a few other things. Anyhow, I am boring tonight.  So I will just say good night and have a great rest of the week, my friends. TTFN

Ah, another week has gone by.  16 days left before I leave.  I realized today that it is not traveling that I am nervous about.  I think I have this fairy tale opinion of Africa that I had had since I was a kid.  I have dreamed of going for so long.  But with all that's going on, my views have shattered.   I always thought of Africa as deep jungles, lost rivers and exotic locations.  Maybe it was like that when I was a kid, but that was 45 years ago.  A lot changes in that time. Back to work tomorrow.  The weekend was a complete write-off.  Pouring rain, cold, miserable.  But I got a lot done.  Washed all the bedding from the guests last week.  So everything is good. Long weekend next week.  Our Thanksgiving.  I am invited to the "future in-laws??" for dinner.  Am looking forward to it.  Such a great family.  I am so glad Greg met Allie.  She is a wonderful girl (woman). Anyhow, I a...

Whew, glad today is over.  So many things happening at the same time.  Everyone says technology makes everything go faster.  So how come things that were due in March now have to be in the September before.  Then there was the IITS for the photocopier, then the movers to get rid of the stuff we moved out of the library.  They couldn't stagger it to go over a few days, no, it has to happen in 1 day.  Oh well, it makes the time go faster.  Not much else happened this week.  Just trying to fix the sculptures that lost a leg or trunk.  Actually, I fixed the one of Chemi Chemi climbing on Mutara and I think it looks better than before.  Now I have to figure out how to pack it so it doesn't break again.  I think my laptop is going to be o.k.  Seems a file got corrupted and it just had to be wiped and everything reinstalled.  I don't mind it too much, though.  It is easier working with the desktop and an actual keyboard....