We are back in Niger, which means I have every intention of getting back to writing! So many of you encouraged me while we were in the States this summer, and you are the reason I’m getting my act together, getting out my laptop, and starting to write again. Thank you for encouraging me!
I'm back at my desk and ready to get back to writing. I'm also wearing my Africa necklace (a gift from Jonathan) to commemorate our first day back in Niger.
It’s been over 15 months since I wrote last. This is one of the sweet, adorable reasons why it's been so long…
We now have four! Welcome, Micaela Joy, born June 8th,
2014.
Coming home after being gone for 6 months felt
wonderful. We reveled in the fact that
we could get back into a good routine, the children could play safely within
the confines of our compound wall, we
could get Micaela settled into life in Niger, and that we could see our Nigerien
friends whom we have been missing during our time away. The children were so excited to have their
bedrooms and toys back and I was happy to have my kitchen back.
But, wait…
It seems that while we were gone, someone ELSE had decided to try to take
over MY kitchen. Roaches. I shudder to even type the word. It is in moments such as those, that moment
when I realized I would have to wage war to take my kitchen back, that we say 'one
must either laugh or cry', and since crying really does no good in such
situations, and laughing seemed utterly impossible, I just decided not to
think about it at all. Well, that lasted
for one day. Then I couldn’t think about anything BUT
reclaiming MY kitchen from MY new rival.
Or shall I say rivals. Because,
you see, there were hundreds of them.
I know that roaches come with the territory when one lives
in Niger, or in any warm climate, for that matter. I also know I am not alone in my battle, no matter where I live in the world, because
when I google, “How to get rid of roaches”, thousands of articles
come up giving “expert” advice on getting rid of the little pests. Not only do the many articles come up, but thousands of comments and forums with distraught homeowners lamenting their "little" problem. Ahhh... sweet comfort. Misery loves company.
I have lived in
Niger long enough to learn a thing or two about roaches and how to eradicate
them. So I armed myself with boiling
water, cleaning supplies, my shop-vac (Thank you, Dad!), boric-acid-roach-zapping-concoctions,
and a strong sense of resolve that I would KILL THEM ALL! Well, I’m not too sure how well I’m doing at
killing them ALL, but I will proudly admit that I believe I AM winning! And if I’m not, well, I refuse to even
consider that as a possibility. Sometimes
ignorance truly is bliss.
But really,
I’M WINNING!
For those of you who have told me you so enjoy living vicariously
in Africa through my writing, well, there you have it! This is one of the aspects of life in Niger that is
probably best lived vicariously and not in actuality. (Grin)
More blogging on a regular basis to come. I promise!
