Fogglifter Cafe and the Water Cooler Curse

It is exactly 7 weeks from today that we will be headed up to the lake. And we can enjoy Fogglifter Cafe every morning and afternoon. I hope they will stay open later in the day, but I wont get my hopes up. I figured just with our family they can average 8 drinks each afternoon during that week. Maybe more, and the other people in town will stop by when they see the party. Great food, great coffee, great employees, great customers, great location!! I'm pumped.

The Franco's were the original owners of the water cooler.  You know, with the big water jugs that serves it either hot or cold?  And they were the first to go.  The water cooler then went to my Dad's  place, and he is currently in Amsterdam, on his way home.  The water cooler is now in our kitchen.  We love it.  But I'm not ready to go home yet.  I think at 3 people though it officially becomes a curse.  Or a blessing, depending on how you look at it.  We'll keep you posted.

So like I said, Dad is now gone.  He left yesterday afternoon and Melissa, Rocco and I took him ot the airport.  His driver, Fadil, was possibly the saddest of us all.  He told me several times that my dad is a "really good man."  And he is.  We will all miss him so much here. 

I maybe shouldn't broadcast this over the world wide web but I am currently an illegal alien.  Or possibly, an "undocumented worker."  Problems with my visa are keeping me from going to Malta to get it renewed.  I am hoping it comes in within 2 weeks, but it should happen within 3 for sure.  I was pretty bummed about it last week but it's not so bad.  In fact, it was a blessing since Dad was leaving it gave us a chance to see him more and play some great tennis (more to follow on that) and then have a couple dinner parties for everyone to say good bye.  He was truly loved here by many.  And another bonus is that MAYBE Jake will make it here and can get away to Malta with us for a couple days.  We will go during the week as I have to in order for the embassy to issue my new visa during business hours.  But then we can extend our stay a couple nights for the weekend if we want.  So we'll see, but for now we are just waiting to get the word that my tracking number is issued.

As for the tennis with Dad.  We played a few times this week.  The first time was with a couple other guys and we ended up getting rained out when it started pouring down.  But the other two times it was just Dad and I, which I prefer, and it was a lot of fun.  Dad showed up really late after being stuck in traffic but we got a couple sets in and had a great time (I won, 6-1, 6-3).  Then yesterday morning we went out for one final Libyan match.  We started at 9:30ish but it was HOT.  We played the longest games we've ever played and were tied 4-4, nobody going up by more than 1.  Then Dad took me down, broke serve to go 5-4 and held his serve to win 6-4.  I'll be honest, I thought I had reached the point where he couldn't hang with me very well but he's an old crafty guy who finds ways to compete.  That's not to say I am great, I'm really not, but you know.  I'm younger and have 10 foot arms.  Anyway, it was smokin hot outside and getting hotter by the second.  We only had one bottle of water that was practically boiling in the direct sunlight.  We stated the next set, Dad was fading fast, I tried to keep going and did not want to throw in the towel.  We had some awesome points but I was rolling at 4-1.  At that point Dad had to call the match.  It was just too hot.  Covered in sweat and red faced, we slowly sauntered home where the air-conditioned house was just what we needed before we passed out from heat stroke.  It reached 104 degreees and everyone keeps saying it will get worse.  I can't wait. 

It was a great way to end our Libyan matches, where both of us could say we had the edge ( I really did, shhh).  I hope to get in  a couple games in McCall this summer.  We miss you all.  Keep us in your prayers and drop us a line from time to time.  I know Mel has some pictures so she will be adding those and a blog entry soon.  Our internet has been down at home so she hasn't been able.  BYEEE

Stunna Stunna

                    We went down to Medina today. Had pizza, walked around the different shops, and bought some new shades : ) It was a good day. We're ending the night here at Palm City.

It's been awhile...

I haven't forgotten about our blog. I promise. I just, haven't really had anything to write about worth jumping on and posting a blog about. So, I've saved all these pictures from the last week or two for you.

A few high points:  We found Happy Hippos at Aruba Market! These are Rob's favorite candy. They're really hard to find, so we stocked up a bit. I think they first came from Erik, who brought them over frommm....wherever he was. Germany maybe? Erik, if you read this, feel free correct me.

Rocco is getting more teeth!

He bites.

We have been doing some yoga. It's hot yoga, and I as good as it is for you, and as inspiring as the teacher  (Dad) is...maybe it just isn't for me. I have never sweat so much in my life! It's 90 min. of 90 something degrees and tying your arms around your neck so you can stand on one toe with the other leg straight in the air. I might like to try regular yoga though. Maybe ease into it before we add the crazy tempatures.

This is a van we saw on our way to Misurata. Rob and Dad had a meeting there. Rocco and I went along for the ride. I guess this is an Egyptian van...it's piled so high with stuff. They are crazy!

I also had my first shawarma! I didn't realize they had them without meat. It was kind of dry. I'm sure there are better out there than the one I had. Rocco aslo had his first. So, it's a day for the history books! Well, maybe the baby book.

This is Rocco while we waited for Rob to do yoga at the Bustan hotel on Tuesday night. (I did it last Friday, so Rob got to do it Tuesday. Today was my day...but I was making a cake, potato salad, and cole slaw for dinner.) It was probably my favorite spot in Libya. The Bustan is a hotel where a few of the guys live, where we have a coffee once a month with the BCWAGS, and where yoga is. It's really pretty there. Rocco and I found a couch outside and had coffee, peaches, and Rocco had a baby cookie. Really Rocco ate my peaches. Cause he's a hoggy hog. Anyway, it was a favorite 90 min of mine.

This is a picture from when we went to pizza last   weekend. It was so rainy, kind of a nice change. Rob and I caught the sunset the other night. We have pretty beautiful sunsets here. It was also a favorite few min. of mine. This morning we woke up early (well, for a weekend) and made chocolate chip pancakes, and put a pineapple in the juicer with a few oranges. It was soooo good!  As for the afternoon, we went up to the piazza and I got henna. Rob and I sat out by the pool for awhil before dinner......it was a great day. So, there you go with that. that's what you've missed. Love you all, hope you had a good week also! 

Tuesday Market...

you never cease to amaze.

   I went to Tuesday Market yesterday with our neighbor, Lydia. I've told you about it before. It's kind of a crazy place for me. Here are a couple examples:

I don't know if you can tell, but this is a HUGE knife. That's a regular sized laundry basket it's in. Also, there were 3 baskets filled with knives, right on the floor. I don't suppose that will pose a risk for small children...right?

Also, here is the tuna isle. Yes, that's right. A whole isle for tuna fish. Mercury, anyone?

This actually is a good place to get things, but makes for a long day when you actually have to go there. I try not to go alone.

Rocco and I are enjoying the air conditioned apartment today. Doing laundry, sending out laundry, and also on the list...baking a cake! It was so hot yesterday I don't really want to go out.
I'll enjoy the sunshine from inside : )

Mother's Day

So for Mother's Day I gave Mel a series of gifts.

1. I brought in maids to clean the house so she didn't have to even think about cleaning
2. I got her a personal driver to take her wherever she needed to go
3. I saved a zit on my elbow for her so she could take care of it ( And it was a painful one that hurt every time I touched my elbow against an armrest or something else, ouch)
4. We went to dinner at her favorite restaurant, Turkish Resaurant.

I'm a true romantic.  She is the best mother Rocco could hope for, and unfortunately, he already knows it.  So he has to be with her about 23 1/3 hours each day.  The other half hour he's screaming for her.  But we love him anyway.

As Mel said below, we have Malta in a few weeks.  We're debating between going for 3 days or extending to 5 days.  We would probbaly get a little tired of being there for 5 whole days but we'll see.  After that I don't have any trips planned until I go home in July.  Mel will be home around the first of July and I will be 2 weeks behind.  Looking forward to it as much as any year before.  Talk to you soon

Sang Sang

Well, the weekend and come and gone. We spent all of it out in Palm City, with Pops Rinard. It's so nice out there, it's hard to want to come back to the busy streets, lots of people, and trash. I guess that's how I feel about where we live, huh? Actually it really isn't bad, there are just busy streets, lots of people, and trash. Palm city is very clean, quiet, and new.
On Saturday we went out to the Airport Villas for a BBQ. It was nice out there. It's also really pretty. There wasn't much in the way of female companionship, which I wasn't surprised by. So Rocco and I snuck (I know, that isn't a word) away and watched True Hollywood Story: J Lo.

I have some hair to do in the next few days. I'm glad about
that, it should keep me away from taking a nap. I'm still fighting the jet lag. I guess that explains why I'm awake at 3 am writing this.
Today was my first mothers day! It was a nice quiet(ish...Rocco is still adjusting. He doesn't like entertaining himself at all right now.)
Rob had to work, then we walked down to dinner and to the grocery store.  

So, things are getting back to normal around here. We'll be heading to Malta in a couple weeks for Rob's visa renewal. That should be a fun getaway. Then, in about 7 weeks, I get to make the trip back the states....on man, I don't even want to think about that trip! Well, to tell the truth, the trip there isn't bad. It's the trip home. Even though I was glad to be getting home, it still isn't as welcoming. Although, I did have this to come home to...      
That's pretty welcoming, if I do say so myself!

Well, I didn't say much in this, but I'll post it anyway. There are some good pictures : )

Okay, one more picture from this weekend, and I'll go back to bed.

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms!

Jet Lag

    Well, Rocco and I are attempting to shake this jet lag. He, as you can see, isn't doing as well as I am. We slept from midnight until a little after 1. I felt like I'd been hit by a truck when I tried to get up. Needless to say, not much got done around the house. I did, however get around to going through all the good food I brought back with me. It made me happy.

time flies...

Just a picture of Rocco sleeping at the airport while we wait for our flight home. We are on hour...mmm...I don't even know. I think 21. and only 6 or 7 to go! this is flying by : |

We'll be home tonight at 10:30, well, that's when our flight gets in.

Idaho, I love you!

Well, we've been in Idaho for awhile now. Here are a few pictures of what's been going on.











Emma caught a huge fish in the pond!




at the mall...

We've had many breakfasts at the Griddle. The best french toast!














I got to pick Jordy up from school, so we went to Lilly Jane's cup cakes.

Looove downtown Boise! Went to the farmer's market...


















we visited the capitol. it's really pretty.

Shoshone Falls!!!

So, it's been so nice to see family, to see civilization, and to just relax. 

Home Sweet Home Sick

I made it back to Tripoli yesterday (Saturday) afternoon.  I met up with Dad in Amsterdam and we flew in on the same flight.  I had my last Satrbucks in the Amsterdam airport and my last sausage in the Boise airport.  As I was on the jetway for the longest flight from Minneapolis to Amsterdam I took some Exedrin PMs and a muscle relaxant.  I was asleep before the plane took off and hardly woke up the entire 8 hours.  That's what I'm talking about!  I was fortunate enough to get an exit row seat, which was quite an achievement in itself, so the extra leg room made a huge difference.

Loneliness and homesickness hit me the minute I walked into our home.  It was honestly pretty overwhelming and hit me hard so quickly that I had to turn on my laptop right away and call Mel.  Then I went over to my Dad's place with Dan and Bryson and had hamburgers and hot dogs and watched Justified and Breaking Bad.  I stayed the night over there and I think I probably will tonight also. 

Mel and Rocco get back here on Wednesday and I can't wait.  I hope her flight isn't so bad but flying coach class is pretty awful if you can't get exit row.  And she has Rocco so there's no chance she will get exit row.  Then in about 3 weeks we get to go to Malta for my visa renewal trip.  I look forward to that in a big way and I hope we can relax together.  It feels like we've all been getting beat up the last couple weeks.  It was nice that we could finally all get together to try and get through a difficult time without being so spread out.  I think I am going to end this entry.  It never really went anywhere and I don't think it was going to anytime soon.  Talk to you soon