Janie and Gary's Belize Adventure

So, 'sbin a few days since I wrote and much has happened in the interim. At the end here I will post some new pictures about the progress.

Biggest thing happening was yesterday ... It was Makena's birthday!!! I was able to connect with her for a short while on Skype last evening and it was wonderful again to see her and help in some small way to celebrate that great event. She looks so much like Heather in her younger days ... Heather can't see it, but looking from this end, it was so apparent to me.

Jason has been pulled to many projects that need to be done ... like, just today, he needs to repair a broken water pipe before we can have water again in our houses. Agh!!! it is always something to take him away from his needed tasks. He has been working on getting the structure for Myrtle's outside kitchen and dish washing area complete and under roof. It is amazing and wonderful to see how he makes use (or reuse) of materials from old buildings, the jungle, the trash heaps, etc to make something useful and serviceable for his family and sets a wonderful example for the village. So often villagers feel like they can't make, do or build something because they don't have the means to buy lumber, etc. Well, the things around here that J&M have built, or reused attest to that erroneous thinking ... Just Myrtles container gardens alone attest to the wonderful shabby~chic use of beach combing reusable thing ... my favorite is the broken end of a kayak that she has hanging plants in!

Yesterday, we went to the junction, got some red sand to fill the floors in for the kitchen, which he built up with rubble and refuse from old cement blocks, wall plaster pieces, etc. We then went on to collect many long pieces of wild cane to fill in the spaces between the pimento logs lining our shower. Lastly, we went in search of long hard wood sticks to serve as pieces for the hanging chairs that I have made and have waiting only for the wood to put them together. In this, we were able to find some trees that had been downed to clear out around the area where the pump house is by the river where they get their water. Now the task will be to cut them to length, finish off the bark and sand them before we drill holes and put the chairs together ... I am kinda of excited to do that part especially.

The Kids go back to school today after a long two week break for Easter and spring. It will be good for them to again have a routine ... and quieter for us adults. The last two nights, JM&G plus DeeDee slept on the roof of the house in a tent.

We are still have refrigerator issues ... the side by side that J&M have for the restaurant has stopped (again) circulating the cool air and Myrtle lost much of her veggies for the restaurant. We still don't have a viable fridge for Yamaya's Place (our house) ; the one being used here works, but has to be defrosted about every 5 days ... not too much of a pain, but one none the less. I think the guy they get the appliances from is a rip off artist, but J seems to trust. Any one who would like to sent help regarding a new fridge would be wonderful ... just make sure that it is specifically sent for that purpose or the fundage might get used where ever else it is needs.

Well, just found out that we need to have me make a motorcycle run into Dangriga for pvc parts and some much needed few groceries ... wish me luck, s'bin the first time since I fell the last bike ride ... need to 'get back on the horse' so to speak ... well, gonna post pics here and then get going... also will be pics of the first night and morning in the new house!