Greetings!
Seriously, it has been exactly one year five days since my last published blog. How did I let that happen? Let me count the ways...
1. 2017 was a rough year. We said good-bye to most of our family staying with us in June, and then Precious, Ethan, and Megan returned to the states in August. In October, we hosted a large group of community members and stakeholders for a "ground breaking ceremony" at the farm, complete with the construction company, "Shovel Projects", pouring cement into the cornerstone of the dairy parlour. Two days later, Phil and I flew out of Botswana and in to Florida.
Getting ready for the event:
Phil looking ever the farmer, Davison looking ever the C.F.O.
Former Vice President of Botswana, current Mayor of Lobatse, and Managing Director of BDC line up to dish their lunch.
Straining under the physical exercise, hahaha:
A lighter moment for Phil:
So relieved it was over!
2. Phil began the renewal process of his travel document, and submitted the paperwork for his naturalized citizenship. Meanwhile, we enjoyed the fall weather of Florida and waited for the US Government to do their thing.
3. Took a very pleasant road trip to visit Phoebe in Charleston, SC, in November. A beautiful, old city, did some sight seeing, chartered a cool schooner, visited a historic plantation, and made the most of a quick couple of days to hang out with Phoebe.
4. Then came the holidays. Phil spent Thanksgiving in Florida, I went to Dallas, spent a bit of time with the girls, and then road-tripped to Iowa with Ashley, Doug, and Dude. I was able to spend time with Mom, Dad, Gary, Jenn, and the girls, then flew back to Florida and Phil and I drove to Austin, TX to celebrate Christmas with Precious and Regis and the kids. Another very short visit.
Evening at the Dallas Museum of Art with the girls:
We spent like a million dollars to see this very 8-second exhibit that I am still asking myself, WTF was that?! Why, that's ART, Karen!
Hello, Dude! Let's rock and roll to Iowa!
A day at the Coral Ridge Skating Rink. Teaching River how to skate like a pro while wearing my regular shoes. :)
Dude was making it happen:
Even Nick got out there and gave it a shot:
Not sure River was really getting the hang of it...
Group selfie!
Ashley and Doug waiting for Brad and Mel to prepare another feast.
Thanksgiving isn't complete without a round table kitchen visit from some of the Keller-Smiths.
Even Gary can't believe it!
Taking advantage of the uncharacteristically warm November days in Iowa.
November in Iowa has never looked so beautiful!
Elijah and Rivs creating their masterpieces while Granny is doing her own thing.
Ever heard of six-on-six basketball? Don't mock me.
Thanksgiving is over, time for Christmas decorations!
Mom doing her thing...
While Dad does his...
Meanwhile, Phil was enjoying every bit of life as a temporary Floridian with his cousin Pippa and her husband Jay who live in the St. Petersburg area.
Then on to Texas where Ethan was the official Elf-Coffee-Maker-Barista for Phil and I every morning.
We tried teaching the Musabika's how to play Dominoes. I don't remember who won, but it definitely wasn't Brandon. Pretty sure he cried later.
The Musabikas!
Megan Moose!
Short side trip to Dallas again, took the boys out sightseeing to look at the Christmas lights. Over the top in Highland Park - this is one residence in Dallas, imagine!
Next day, cleaned out the storage, packed some of it for Florida then indulged at Burger Island, our fav burger haunt in Mesquite:
6. Phil and I headed back to Florida for New Years Eve, and shortly after made a relaxing trip to eastern Tennessee. It was here that we discovered our clothes no longer fit, and for the past three months we had done nothing but stuff our pie hole. Time for some self-observation and healthy change. But first...
It was probably after climbing these 10,000 steps that we realized we were just a tad out of shape.
First steps on the Appalachian Trail!
7. Just to recap:
7. Welcome mid-January and February and the beginning of getting serious about eating better and exercising.
8. Denise took a mini-vacation in Florida to visit us, which included a very fun, highly recommended trip to a Florida State Park, Cayo Costa, which also inspired me to buy Dad the "Doc Ford Series" by Randy Wayne White, written about a character (Doc Ford, ex-CIA, marine biologist, solver of mysteries, etc.) who lives around Pine Island, Cayo Costa, and surrounding parts of the Gulf of Mexico. He now has about twenty-five books if anyone would like to borrow one or twenty-four. (Allegiant flies out of Cedar Rapids on the cheap and straight to Orlando, just an FYI.) Cayo Costa is unique in that if you'd like to visit / stay, you have to ferry there and back. Interestingly, the guide on the ferry said, "If you somehow find yourself overboard, just stand up!" Apparently the water channel isn't deeper than around 3-4 feet. Pack your gear in and pack it out, you can buy a few things you may have forgotten to bring at the little store for $3,890 dollars. In other words, come prepared. We had a bit of trouble with damp firewood, but thanks to Randy Wayne White, and Denise not having a care for the written word, she burned my book in traditional witch-hunting fashion. Also, boxed wine travels very well and goes good with mosquito repellent and the fire, once it has been lit.
9. Once Denise returned to Iowa, Phil and I began to pack our bags. I would head to Iowa and stay with the parents for a bit, and he would head back to Botswana. I had gotten away easily with the November weather, not so for March. March was a bitch.
That said, totally had fun spending time with friends and family, despite all the record amounts of snow.
It's the Ditto's Lumir's Bohunk Club! Eat the Reuben, Mom, seriously. Happy, happy!
Mexican night shenanigans. Ole!
After an excursion with the Aunts in Marion, we stopped in to super shop at a cute little store next to Aunt Linda's neighborhood, and left with a bundle of goodies for River.
Snuck a pic of Dad having a serious convo with Roy Humphrey at Jeanne Hein's 70th birthday party at the V.
And the granny gets a special hug. :)
Found this gem while looking through Mom's old photos!
Seriously, Mom, how many times can you beat me?
Now, this was a night to remember! You cannot go anywhere without the Longenberger baskets and many, many special treats. We were heading up to the art and sip place in Tipton to paint and sip - and obviously munch. Great time had by all.
We are still working on perfecting the "selfie" love that Connie is hiding behind my mom. Hahaha.
This one is by far the best.
Ready for the Louvre. Connie Van Gogh. Has a nice ring to it.
Finally got to visit the Czech Heritage Museum in Cedar Rapids. Most interesting! When I return next, we'll plan a lot more outings because Dad really enjoys Mom and I always out and about!
And a trip to Czech Village would not be complete without a stop to Little Bohemia and a traditional meal.
On our way to visit Aunt Linda!
River's favorite place, the Tipton Library, and her favorite book, Pete the Cat.
And of course, Mom's homemade CC cookies.
Dad would occasionally drop by to give Mom a hand. Mom was not amused.
Tea tastes better in a Ballard's mug.
Tree branch down!
Made some nice somethings.
Look what River got for her birthday from Aunt Linda!
The "Entourage".
Admiring Aunt Linda's cute shoes.
Went to Connie's to help her go through numerous boxes of pictures and we found these gems. I was giggling at how short Rhonda's dress was. Oh, look! Gary got a gun!
And then I noticed how short my dress was. And poor Gary still wearing the same outfit at Easter.
Last road trip, Denise and I on our way to McGregor, Iowa.
Pike's Peak
Outside shoveling snow with Wally. Then it snowed about 100 more inches five minutes later. We called it quits after that.
Denise kicked me out at O'Hare. I wasn't too happy.
10. Landed in Johannesburg, South Africa on Good Friday, Phil picked me up at the airport early early early and we jumped in the car and headed for Durban, South Africa. And that my lovelies, is where I will leave you. Promise to pick up next with everything that's happening in Botswana, and that is a LOT. Construction of the dairy parlour is totally underway. So, next update with catch up from April of 2018, promise not to let one year and five days go by again. Miss you and love to you all!
xoxo
Karen Michele
