Dec 29, 2010  
OK well yesterday started out a bit differently. I got up on time at 4am and checked my flight to Nairobi and everything was good to go. Drew, Robi and the kids pick me up and take me to the airport. It’s all good. Get to the gate, it’s all good. Then at 7:05am the airline announces that the flight is delayed indefinately. After waiting for a couple of hours, we were able to board the flight ad take off. We get to Newark, NJ 2 hours late, but my next flight is delayed in taking off, so I make that flight, BUT... Then it takes the airline people a lot longer to clean the plane than anticipated, so we take off really late, 2+ hours.  
Get to Paris, 1 hour before my next flight leaves. BUT Continental didn’t give me a boarding pass for Kenya Airways. So I need to get a boarding pass before I do anything. I get in the proper line to get said boarding pass, but guess what, by the time I get to the counter, it’s been an hour and my flight has left. So then I’m told to go to to 2F to get a boarding pass on the next flight that leaves on Friday (today is Wednesday). So I go there, stand in another line for over an hour, and then I’m told to go to Terminal 1 to the Continental desk. All I have to do is take the shuttle. Sounds simple right? Well it’s not. No one told me to take the shuttle TRAIN, because there is a shuttle bus which isn’t a train but a bus that goes around to the terminals, but I couldn’t use it to get to the ticket counter. UGGGGG Talk about being frusterated to the max!  
ANYWAY, I found someone who wrote it down where I’m suppose to go to. So after another shuttle bus ride, and a shuttle train ride, I arrive at the Continental ticket counter. The wonderful lady booked me on the next flight out to Cairo and then I change planes to Kenya Air and I fly into Nairobi. I’m only 9 hours late arriving. Not bad considering lots of people were stuck multiple days in Neward, Paris, and God only know where else. So there you have it, well I’m on a plane on its way to Cairo right now, hopefully I’ll get to Nairobi. And it will be great if I get there in the early am. Now that will be totally great!!!!!
After another Flight from Paris to Cairo, I find myself sitting in Cairo Int'l Airport waiting for the police officer to come back with my passport (there's another American here with me) and my boarding pass, so I can get on my flight to Kenya. We have a little over an hour before the flight leaves.
OH in case anyone is wondering, Cairo still smells the same, burnt, dirty, and a little like pee. just
sayin'

PDX

Well I made it though security, got my bags to the TSA people, and made it to the gate in one piece.  So I'm good to go.
I'm excited and totally ready to get on the plane for my next adventure!

one day left

Well, only one day left and then I'm off to Kenya. Can you believe it? I certainly can't. This is so wild, it's unreal. I don't think it's totally sunk in yet that I'm actually going to Kenya. I mean I know I'm going, but it's still a little weird to take it in.  I wonder what Robb would think? He'd probably be right there with me on this trip. I know he wanted to go someday. Well I'll just have to have enough fun for both of us. OH and I know I'll be working enough for a bunch of us. LOL


Today has been pretty quiet, which is good.  The days before Christmas are always crazy but a lot of fun, so a new of quiet is always nice.  The kids had a great Christmas and I had a blast being with them and lovin' on them.  I'll miss those kids of mine while I'm gone, they are so darn ADORABLE!!

Christmas Day

Spent the day with my son in laws family.  Watched Maddy and Miles ride their new bikes and took lots of pictures of them.  Dinner was fantastic, prime rib, veggies, mashed potatoes, yams, and salad.  All I can say about dinner is YUMMO!!  I enjoyed my day and evening with Robi and her in-laws. Jim and Margie are awesome folks and I'm blessed that they are in Robi's, Maddy's, and Miles' life.  OH yeah, Drew is cool too!

Christmas Eve

Yesterday, on Christmas Eve, I spent the day over at Robi's and Drew's.  Once I got there the kids were all excited and I got the biggest hugs a Nana could ever want. After Robi and I returned from Fred Meyers, and we all took a nap, and then Drew's parents arrived. Now Jim and Margie are wonderful people.  They are fun to be with and they love the grandkids as much as I do, but what really brought joy to my heart was something that Jim did.  Miles had just woken up from a nap.  Now if you know Miles, you know he doesn't wake up from naps quickly at all.  It takes the boy a little time to totally wake up and be the Miles we all love and adore (even though we all adore him when he's grouchy too!).  Well Miles walked up to Jim, and Jim asked Miles if he wanted to be held.  Well, Miles shook his head yes and Jim picked him up and held Miles close.  Jim just loved on the boy and Miles felt totally safe and secure.  NOW that was the best think I've seen in a while.  Knowing how much Robb would have loved Miles and how often he would hold him, seeing Jim do the same thing brought me so much joy.  I wish Robb could be here to hold Miles, but that's not to be, however I'm so very glad that Jim is here to pick up where Robb would have left off.  I do believe that was the best gift I've received on Christmas Eve! 

T Minus 6 Days and Counting

Well time is flying by as the day approaches when I leave for Kenya.  In some ways it feels like I'm on a bullet train that's barreling down the track and nothing is slowing the train down.  The last couple of days have been hectic, although I did get a lot of stuff done that needed doing. Thanks to Robi, my daughter, for making the list for me and double checking it making sure nothing is being left out.  YEAH ROBI.


I started packing today.  I'm still a little confused on how to pack for 7 months away.  Packing for a weekend getaway is so easy, but this is so different. Then I'm hauling 2 extra laptops with me, one for Nelson and the other for Silas.  Both are Nick's brother's and they both need a computer. I wish I didn't have to take them.  Both of them make my carry-on heavier than I wanted it to be and it will be a pain going through security.  


I'm looking forward to Christmas this year.  I do believe my grandkids will be thrilled with what I've been able to purchase for them.  I can't wait to see their faces. They are, in fact, the best grandkids on the planet!!

T Minus 9 days and countin

Only 9 days left until I'm leaving on a jet plane. lol  I have lots to do this next week. Most importantly I want to spend time with my kids. 

Getting Ready

11 days to go and I'm off to Kenya for 7 months. Can you believe it? I can't, well at least it's so out of the norm I'm having a hard time believing it.  Am I excited?  OH YEAH. I am, but I will miss Madelyn, Miles, and Jocelyn. OH and Robi and Drew too! But I know I'll make new friends and I'll meet all kinds of new people and begin great relationships.

I got all of my meds today, well almost all.  I still need my malaria meds but Kaiser called and said that they are changing the brand to another one that will coast 78 bucks.  YEAH

As for packing, well how do you pack for 7 months?  It's a little daunting to say the least.  But I'm doing OK with the whole process.  I just need to iron some things and get them in my duffle bag and I'm basically good to go.

11 days to go.... WOW  I'm so glad I have a great roommate that will keep an eye on the house and my wonderful neighbors will keep a eye on the eye that's keeping an eye on the place. LOL