The father of all mix ups

I gave myself a fabulous pep talk before I left the US on how I was going to blog weekly. These blogs would be insightful, moving, pee your pants funny and heartwarming to all our friends and family or at least the 5 or 6 who read it! But alas, I have failed. I have had many funny moments and lots of moving, but to blog about these makes me think I may lose those handful if I’m not careful!

Today was a day of shopping for household items. I was able to bring along my faithful sidekick, Haley, and we pushed, pulled and bartered our way through the big market downtown. A few things about shopping here; there is no stopping to peruse. If you stop, you will be mobbed and before you know it you will be wearing a new dress and hat and walking away with some gari, which, if you are like me, you have no idea how to cook. So window shopping is to be done quickly and with minimum eye contact. Also, a fun question I have learned to ask, after they tell you an outrageous price, I like to say “That is a nice white price. Now what is the real price?” This usually makes them laugh and I have found ends in my negotiated price being even lower than I would have thought. (albeit higher than a nationals) But today, however, we ended up with a guide to help us. She was awesome. Someone would tells us a price, she would cluck and whisper under her breath what I should pay! Iesha is the bomb diggity! I walked out of that market feeling like a victor….a tired, smelly, sweaty, dirt covered victor! And now I have a can opener for my cans of tuna. I can put away that large butcher knife and keep all my fingers in tact! Good day.

I also took the three girls to the big market downtown. If you didn’t know, we successfully celebrated a Ropiecki birthday here in SL. Anna is 9! She had some birthday cash that was burning a whole in her pocket. We also lost a tooth in Africa (aubrey’s) and there was the fish eyeball eating dare that took place where Aubrey also made bank! (I have video, it’s awesome) So we had to go do a little retail therapy with the ladies. I also thought it was a good time to teach my girls a little haggling. Michael is not good at this. Although, with his love for not spending money, one would think this would be right up his alley. Neigh, neigh, he has other gifts. (he’s pretty) Anyway, Anna was the bomb, and we found some really great guys who were all about helping the girls out. It was so wonderful for me to see that. It can sometimes feel like everyone looks at you and hears ca-ching. (clearly they aren’t listening to us) But to see these men stoop down to talk on my kids level and actually tell them “No, that’s too much.” I wanted to hug some of those big ol’ guys. Most importantly my girls had the time of their lives! We met some really great people and I got a couple of really good laughs.

We stopped at one stall because Anna really wanted a dress. The owner of the stall was a really nice lady that I enjoyed talking to. She was asking about my children. Another woman beside her was sort of listening in on our conversation. I was asked to point out my kids. I pointed at Anna, then Aubrey and Ella was a bit further down with Michael. I pointed at her and the woman listening in, said “that is your daughter.” In the US I totally play this off and just assume people will figure this out. This does not fly here! The woman looked at Ella and said “This man is the father?” I reply “Of course.” Then I saw her face! She was utterly amazed that Michael and I could make a black baby! It was fantastic! Then Haley says, “uh, well.” I quickly add in, “it was adoption!” The shop owner laughed and said “I knew, but you might want to explain that to other people you tell!” I have laughed about this all day!!! It was epic!

I am happy to report that we will soon be in Bauya! Our house is almost completely finished and we are ready! The container will also be released soon! I am almost giddy with the thought of sleeping on my comfy mattress again. We are ready to put down our roots and put out the welcome mats! Just a few more days, then the quiet life. Ahhhhhh…….