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Sunday, November 30, 2008

home...almost


Hi everybody. I'm so sorry to have been so absent here theses last three weeks. Internet "issues" were just too great, and it was all I could do to get about three short emails off to friends and family while we were away. Today we wake up in Denver, snow falling softly outside the window, after a long, comfortable sleep in a bed like a cloud. This is nothing like the reality we experienced in Africa. It's about as opposite as opposite can be. And still, we had the most wonderful experience of our lives there, and in fact, might have stayed longer if it would have been possible. Certainly we'll go back.

We'll drive home today after breakfast, the last leg of a very long journey. The storm doesn't look too threatening, and we have 4 wheel drive and good tires. I'll need to spend a few days decompressing and unpacking, and then I'll start sorting pictures and little by little, I'll begin to tell the story. I think you'll enjoy it, and hope you'll want to find a way to join in somehow too.

The photo here is my Bead Girls. I call them "mine", although they're very much their own, and everyone who meets them or works with them loves them. They've become amazing beadmakers, and we all learned a lot from each other in the time that we had. I brought home a handful of heart beads they made especially for me. My influence is there, but the style is all their own. I'm so proud! I need to sell these and send the money back to them in Ethiopia, so watch my website for that brief opportunity. At the little price of $36, they'll make some really meaningful holiday gifts for those you love best.

That's all for now. I'll be back in a few days!

Saturday, November 08, 2008

leaving dc



So far, so good. We're in DC, waiting for our flight to Rome and then on to Addis Ababa. Last night the First Pick Party was fun, fun, fun. I always seem to have the good fortune to sit next to the coolest person in the room. This time is was Yohannes Gebregeorgis, who is the founder of Ethiopia Reads. He has started libraries all over Ethiopia, and is doing wonderful work in improving the education of Ethiopia kids. He's up for the CNN Heroes award, and stands to win $100,000 to further his work. Please vote for him! You can vote more than once. I'm sitting here for my last half hour at the airport, voting over and over again. Heck - I paid $2.99 for internet access. Might as well make good use of it!







OK! Time to go!!!

Friday, November 07, 2008

on our way

We're leaving this morning for Denver, and tomorrow for Ethiopia! Wow - here it is. I'm so excited I can hardly sit still. I'll see you back here when I can. Till then... Carry on!
xoxoxo Kim

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Welcome to the Group Gratitude Journal!
(What's this about? Read the Gratitude Alert post!)

Please make your entries in the "comments" area below.



Today I am grateful for...

The opportunity to go on this trip to Ethiopia!

My friend Karena, who is helping big time with the house-sitting.

All the adventures we haven't even imagined yet.

Your turn!

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

yes we did!


I am beyond happy this morning. Over-the-moon, happy-dancing, singing-with-the-birds happy. I feel like it's the day after Christmas and I got everything I wished for. For the first time in a very long time, I'm enormously proud of this country. We've stepped up and done the work to make a change that will benefit the entire world. Hooray for us, US, U.S. We did a good thing in electing Obama. There's still a lot of work to do, but at least now we have a place to start from. Moving forward, you and me, us and them, we're all in it together. Come on. Let's go!

Today Rick and I will finish packing. We're off to explore a bigger world, to share who we are and what we have. It feels important to be doing this at this particular point in time. The world is changing, and we're helping. Feels good. Very good.

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P.S.
I forgot to mention that we had a terrific Election Night Party at Deborah & Thomas's house. I brought a big pot of Obama Beans (chili), and Obamaroni (mac & cheese from scratch). We also thought ahead and had champagne chilled... we knew we'd be celebrating!!! The cheesy-mac was a huge hit. The recipe is based on Patti LaBelle's recipe, but I think I added even more cheese than it called for. After all it was celebration food!



~~~~~~~~~

Welcome to the Group Gratitude Journal!
(What's this about? Read the Gratitude Alert post!)

Please make your entries in the "comments" area below.



Today I am grateful for...

Barack Obama.

The voters who stood up and said YES!

You. All of you. I can't see you, but I know you're there.

Your turn!

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

one word today...


~~~~~~~~~

Welcome to the Group Gratitude Journal!
(What's this about? Read the Gratitude Alert post!)

Please make your entries in the "comments" area below.



Today I am grateful for...


Democracy.

All the volunteers out there helping people vote.

Tonight's election party with our friends.

Your turn!

Monday, November 03, 2008

back to yes

I seem to have crossed back over to the Land Of Yes... that place where nothing is really different, but somehow it's all just working better. The PayPal glitch was worked out, and I want to thank the buyer for getting right on the problem and clearing it up. Turns out, she hadn't canceled the payment at all. The bank did, the stinkers. As we know, they can pretty much do what they want...

Anyway - all those little sticky bits of business that were hanging me up a few days ago are cleaned up now. My new website and shopping cart are purring along, and all the stacking, sorting, and packing we need to do is actually getting done. I'm organized and calm and nearly ready to roll. Of course that calm is only on the surface of the pond... the deeper waters are a lot more turbulent and murky. I know this only because I'm still not sleeping. I even resorted to taking an actual sleeping pill last night, and I still woke up at 1AM. OK - I surrender. By the time we get on that plane, I'll be ready for a nice long nap.

OK - back to the packing...



~~~~~~~~~

Welcome to the Group Gratitude Journal!
(What's this about? Read the Gratitude Alert post!)

Please make your entries in the "comments" area below.






Today I am grateful for...

Large suitcases.

Rick, who does all the grocery shopping.

Rick again, who baked cherry chocolate brownies the other day, and blueberry muffins this morning. Mmmmmm......


Your turn!

Saturday, November 01, 2008

halloween in taos

I'm still struggling with my website today. But the domain redirection should be all sorted out in about 24 hours... I hope! Still stacking, sorting, and packing the lovely piles of crap, but at least I'm making progress. Yesterday was kind of overwhelming (is it possible to be just "whelmed"?). It was a good thing that we decided to go to town for a little Halloween fun. We came home feeling much more balanced, and it was a beautiful evening, so we sat outside later and watched the tiny new moon peep through the clouds and slip behind the hills. Deep breath... there we go...

Today we're back at it. Rick is out canvassing for Obama. He's a Canvass Captain. I'm very proud. As we say here in New Mexico, Obamanos!!! I'm here taking care of business. We all have our jobs to do. So while I get back to work, here's a little entertainment for you. Halloween in Taos is always a lot of fun! Bees and Beadists For Obama!



~~~~~~~~~

Welcome to the Group Gratitude Journal!
(What's this about? Read the Gratitude Alert post!)

Please make your entries in the "comments" area below.






Today I am grateful for...

Halloween...

And then Dia de los Muertos.

The silly fun of costumes.

Your turn!