Completely Flooded Out

Shortly after my post the rain began to fall heavier . . .




And Heavier. . . .




Until we had to evacuate the property. The really lame thing about this was that Henry also was diagnosed the day before with a double ear infection and tonsillitis and he was feeling like crap. He eyes were all read and puffy and all he wanted to do was cling to me. It was a little stressful. At one point I put a bucket out side and twenty minutes later there was an inch and a half of rain in it. Insane! But, we are now back at home, snug and sound. Thank god we don't have carpet or hardwood floors. I have to admit that it was a fun change change!

2008 Hurricane Season Kicks Off

That is Costa Rica, the little green country smack dab in the middle.


This is the headline on the WeatherChannel.com - click on the link and you go straight to Central America. It has been raining for days. Not just light rain but intense, constant, heavy downpours. Last night the wind started as well and now it looks like the storm has turned into Tropical Storm Alma. Looks like we won the Hurricane lottery this year. How fun.

When it rains:
Laundry doesn't dry - ever.
No one leaves the house - not even taxi drivers.
Rain starts leaking through the roof.
You worry about the small river behind your house changing course to run right through your house.

I swear we have had at least 12 inches of rain in the last 24 hours. I would love to know for sure. At least we still have power - for now. I will post some pictures later today.

Beto & Jackie

I realized there are no pictures of my 'other' kids. Beto and Jackie were left in front of Teri & Alan's house (the one I am currently living in.) They are 4 months old and are brother & sister. Beto is Teri & Alan's puppy and Jackie is ours. They are so cute when they are sleeping but terribly annoying when they are awake as all they do is wrestle, bite and bark at each other. But, I absolutely love them and would feel a little empty without them!

Spiders Everywhere

I sat at home last night trying to put the kids to bed. Henry was screaming in his crib and I was thinking “let him have it out.” As I was standing around the corner after just having turned out the lights I saw a HUGE black thing moving up the wall. I turned on a light and saw the biggest spider I have ever seen in my life. I am not exaggerating (for those of you who know how much I exaggerate.) It was about 4 inches in diameter. Black. Ugly. Scary. I swore heavily under my breath because Claire was sitting on the couch watching a movie. I swore under my breath not because I didn’t want her to hear me swear (her favorite is “goddammit”) but because I didn’t want to impart my immense fear of creepy crawlies on to her. So, I picked up my flip flop and with a deep breath – “whap” and killed it deader than shit.

I sat silent for awhile. Wondering when the spider from the Lord of the Rings was going to appear and wrap me up in a tight little bundle.

A few minutes later, my dad arrived. I had called earlier in the evening wanting him to bring up my computer and some wine. Thank God he came. As I explained in detail my spider slaying, he started to get curious. This wasn’t the first big spider. Two days ago he came up for a visit and there was an equally ugly one moving toward the kitchen – but this paled in comparison to tonight’s beast. He started to look around and realized that the house has “lots” of spiders. I brought him a can of Raid that I had and the adventure began. For the next hour my father walked around the house, inside and out, spraying corners and swatting spiders. I think he lost count at 25 kills. And, those were just the ones we saw.

The topper was when I came back into the house to find that Jackie – one of the puppies – had decided to come in (all the doors/windows were open) to take a huge crap and piss in the kid’s play tent.

Nice.

Tomorrow Flori and I will take Raid and a vacuum hose to every single nook and cranny that we can find. I don’t think I can handle sleeping here if we don’t.

And then we will meticulously disinfect the tent.

Here are pictures of a tiny little spider that I found when I first moved in. This should give you an idea of just how big last night's beast was.

Henry's Party

It was a small intimate gathering. I think he wanted to go to sleep but he endured. I think Claire had more fun that anyone!







This is Flori!! Not the best picture but she is an amazing woman who has taken such good care of the kids. The boy next to her is her son. He is blind and is an "A" student. She is a good mom.

Washing Machine Challenges

Since I have moved, I have been without a washing machine. That is a challenge since I have two kids and two puppies. My friend Mari was kind enough to sell me her old one. She took it to the repair shop first because it needed a new timer to make it spin properly. She said it would be 10,000 colones (around $20) - turns out that she had to pay an extra $30 for the labor - so the total repair was $50. Well, I thought that was fine and yesterday I had it hooked up. Of course, it didn't work. So, I grew up and bought my first ever washing machine. The first picture is the old one and the second is the new one. I feel so grown up.





Here is the result. Isn't it pretty? At least it is 'green'!!!

New House!

I moved across the street into Teri & Alan's house last week. They are my old neighbors from Bainbridge and about 7 years ago (maybe longer?) they bought a sweet house across the street from my parent's top gate. I am taking care of their baby, Beethoven (aka Beto) in exchange for free rent. It is a great house - and very sweet of them to trust me with the place! It is perfect for the kids. No stairs, water hazards, drop-offs into ponds, etc. And, I think my parents are very happy to have some peace and quiet. Here are some pics from the new place!

Fun with Claire

Claire has been really loneley lateley becuase she has been placed on the waiting list at her school. We waited for three months for a new teacher (the old one quit at the beginning of the year) and as soon as we got one they told her she had to wait. So, we have been inventing fun things to do with her. Here are some pictures of a spoon race that we did and some face painting!

Henry's 1st Birthday

Today he turns one. He has no teeth. I guess that is okay since I have two puppies with plenty of teeth to last a lifetime. I don't need a third child teething just yet. In fact, I don't need any children right now. I woke up this morning in a bed full of urine since I forogt to put a pull-up on Claire. Then, I went to the bathroom and saw that the puppies peed in the shower and on the bathroom floor. Then, I turned around to see that Claire decided to paint her toenails on my new carpet.

On Saturday we are having a party for him with Flori and her kids. Claire will make us all wear party hats and blow up balloons. I'll bet that henry would just want to sit in front of the dog's water dish and splash around and that would make him plenty happy.

I love my kids.