Inertia - Open the can of paint

This afternoon I was dithering on how my baby blanket was going to be sewn. All the fabrics are fine, but nothing jumps out and says, "this is great". I decided to go with the tried and true and I'm doing a nine-square that will be cut in half and turned. 

I had my squares on the table and then.....I went and did three or four other things.....then decided maybe I'd make banana bread (muffins). After getting out the bowls. spoons, and measuring cups, Sister Penner called and said she wanted to come over to return some things. Ok, though I couldn't think of what.

She brought thread, safety pins, and a bag I'd let her borrow when she was trying to finish a quilt. She ordered some elephant key chains from Wisdom, then walked over to the table where my squares were laid out. 

Sister Penner told me all about Jenny Doan's quilting class and showed me pictures of the quilts and also some of the wall pieces she is working on that will go to Antoinette's beauty salon, and to Marion in the Area office. It was so fun to see and share ideas with Sister Penner. 

She thought my fabric and idea was great and said she likes the delicate colors together. What a great shot in the arm. After clicking her out of the gate, I sewed up all the squares on the table and have set out some more.

She got me out of the inertia. Reminds me of the time I had the paint cans in the room, everything prepped to go....and waited...... then Debbie Penovich came over and said, "I see that you are painting, let me help." She opened the can and started painting....that was all I needed to move forward. The room was finished that night. My quilt won't be finished but it is started and going! Sometimes I just need friends.

One block with a triangle on the edge can be put in various patterns

In the Beehive

 I started the day out with a crick in my neck and not wanting to go. Jeffrey jumped up and went walking first thing. I got his lunch ready to go, scooped him out some granola and decided to skip the pool exercise this morning.

Then I found everybody else was on the move. Lawerence is making sure everything gets done this week while the Area presidency is still in Utah for conference. Ladders going on the roof, up to windows to be washed, air-conditioners being cleaned and or replaced, and routine maintenance on the dryer, washer, and dishwasher. Something tells me there is a schedule for every six month period. Lots of things happen this last week. But especially today.

I wonder if the Area presidency know how many people are in their homes while they are gone? There is no way Lawerence can be in every apartment getting serviced all at the same time. They did get the elevator up and going today. I'll bet the need went to a high priority as men were carrying air-conditioners, buckets, tool kits, tool bags, and ladders, while others had buckets of water, soap, rags, and squeegees. This is a happening place.

The energy had me cleaning, washing, and planning what to get accomplished for the day.

I visited with Baaba and a young woman who is getting her police report and preparing to enter the MTC on Thursday as a missionary.  Then Bertha came over to deliver the sobolo and muffins to the grounds crew and cleaners. Next week we will give to the Family History employees and the car wash crew. 

It's nice to be in the beehive. Everybody working. I was definitely inspired to get something done today. When the team is working hard, individual performance usually goes up. That's how it felt today.

Bottles of sobolo that Bertha gave out with the muffins this afternoon 

Maintenance on my washer and dryer

Want some Spoons?

 Wisdom came over last night to drop off some spoons I had ordered earlier. When he talked to me I could tell he is desperate to get money for his daughter who is getting her Masters degree - which costs a lot more than her previous schools. 

He brought an elephant family that he wanted to sell me for half price. I already have an excellent elephant family, but realized he is in need so I bought it at full price. Now I'll have to look for somebody who wants to buy it. Maybe I will try to promote more spoons and show the missionaries the ark, Nativity set, and order a chess set. Hopefully I will find some buyers - or my kids will end up getting some African presents.

Nice long handles for hot stews and rice

Actually these are awesome.  Susie uses them all the time.

Randomly on the street

 Eugene had a quick errand while we were out to pick up a package. He asked if that was okay and I had no problem with that.

When we pulled up to a rest stop and waited for just a bit. A lady came up with his package. I knew her! It was Prince's sister Grace. We took a quick picture and she said to send it to Prince. I posted it on Facebook  knowing he would see it.

Grace and I

Deep into the market

 On Monday I had a lot of fun going deep into the market to find ingredients for my granola. This market seem to have mostly Muslims as the women all had head coverings. We wound out way in and through small alley ways filled with beans, seeds, grains, and dried flowers. It was colorful and filled with goods and people. But more specific than Markola market where shoes and chicken pieces, baking pans and smoked fish, are sold side by side.  Eugene asked the questions and held the list while I enjoyed the ambiance.  

April 4 was the birthday day

 After the 4 pm session (which started about 25 minutes late) Shauna Braunberger got some of her friends together to go out to dinner for her birthday. It turns out that it was Pricilla's birthday also, so they took her along with them.

The place was a Mexican restaurant complete with lots of skulls and a Macho Libre influence. Despite the lighting and the very loud music, we had a good time celebrating birthdays. Wayne Braunberger had gotten Shauna a huge cake which she shared with all of us - and plenty to take home.

Pricilla with Sister and Elder Penner

Two birthday girls, Shauna and Pricilla

Coming in with the cake and costumes

They cut the cake together

Huge cake, huge slices

Sharing

The Shumways

I and the Findlays

The Wades

Maintenance and good food

 When we arrived back to the apartment and took in the things from the market - like rice and apples. We found the elevator still doesn't work. All the air-conditioners in my apartment were being cleaned  - a regular maintenance cleaning that happens every 6 months during the conference week.  While they were working on that and Eugene, Irene, and Dumevi had gone home, Comfort and Bertha came over with sobolo for next week and brought some things from the market. Bertha soon went to the temple for a session and Comfort made cabbage stew for dinner tonight. 

While she was preparing, the maintenance worker told her it was torture as the smells were so good. Comfort asked me if we could give them a lunch. Of course, I answered yes. She heated up some Waakye for two of them and Jollof Rice for the other from the premade meals in the freezer. All three were very happy.  It must be a good feeling for her to have people so happy with all of her great cooking talent.