A day in the life of B and D

Yesterday was clean up day around here. One of the things we are learning is that sweeping sand out is a daily yet vital thing to do on the island. The no-see-ums (or sandflies) love the sand so we need to make sure our shoes are sand-free and sweep it all outside. I sweep our deck too, and then wash down every surface with a mild bleach solution. Since I have been doing this regime I am noticing less bugs. We also are going to spray our screens with a heavy duty insecticide. I hate to do that but it is just one of the things people do here. Especially with the rainy season upon us.

This morning is the first day of consistent rain. It is wonderful actually because the sound is so calming on all the branches outside and the birds are loving their refreshing bath. Their song this morning is sweet.

Bob and I walked around our property yesterday and there are lots of fruit trees (most of which we don’t know the names of), several orchids (whee!), a banana tree, coconuts galore, and I think we have a noni tree. You often see noni products in the health food store back home. Our friend Elizabeth puts them in a jar on her deck and then drinks the juice from them. I have to admit they looked totally gross and moldy. I am not sure I would want to drink that, but she said, But Debi it is good for you! I said, But Elizabeth look at all the mold on them… that’s gross! She said, Yes perhaps I should start a new batch. Ahhh yes I think so.

We have lots to learn about island life and everyday we learn more. Elizabeth gave me a recipe for lime-aid. The secret ingredient is ‘wanilla’… (vanilla). So I bought some limes yesterday and soon I will have my lime-aid with wanilla. Can’t wait. We got a bunch of veggies and fruit yesterday while at French Harbour. I have to wash them in a mild bleach solution. I will do that later on today.

(just a note: on my electric picture frame it is scrolling all sorts of photos of our time at Bob’s parents cottage in Ontario. We had so many wonderful memories there! Just saw a photo of Matt on the dock. It was such a delight to go there and rest, fish, go out in the boat, or swim off the dock. In fact the kids learned to swim there. They sold the cottage this summer to a young family who have a boy and a girl. I trust they will have as many wonderful times there as the Cowan family did!)

Around 11:00 our neighbours Ron and Patricia stopped by to see if we wanted to go for a walk along the beach. Okay I have to admit I don’t like walking on the beach because of the sandflies. They BITE! But when I have the option of being with people or not I will most always choose people, and I am so glad I did. We had a great visit with them. And the exercise, and the beauty along the way was worth it. Did we get bit? Oh yeah! For those of you who plan on coming down for a visit sometime (after the rainy season of course) I recommend you bring some cortisone cream.. it takes the itch away.

There is a huge ritzy development area close to where we live called Lawson Rock. It is like America comes to Roatan. It looks like Florida! Huge homes and condos. Beautifully landscaped. It was like walking through a botanical garden!! I was in heaven! Patricia used to do property management there at Lawson Rock so she took us for a tour throughout. Oh my. I should mention that she is from the Mainland and we are blessed to have her along since Spanish is her first language. I am going to really try hard to learn the language. Yes I am. Mattie, I can do it .. I really can!! J (speaking of Matt .. just saw a pic of him and Emily playing Cranium at Christmas)

We got back around 1:30, starving, hot, thirsty, and yes a little burnt. But it was a great time.

Bob and I did laundry yesterday too. It was good to get some things done around the place. Our laundry room isn’t in our place but a few doors down. Because of the dampness and water there are a lot of mosquitoes hanging out down there. So one of the things we do, is spray like crazy, then go in fast and get out fast. Okay people next time we go to do laundry just be thankful for the facility you have!! But on the other hand as I was walking back to our place I was able to stop and see a fantastic seascape, or notice the varying shades in a red hibiscus and or chuckle as a little hermit crab scurries by me. No I am not complaining.

We decided to hang the sheets on the deck and let the sea breeze dry them. The rest went into the dryer.

We sure thank God for our friend Lisa too. We got together with her in the afternoon and tried to do some banking (but it was closed) so we want back to her place for awhile. She lives in Sandy Bay area too and has air conditioning. OH JOY! She is the one who hosted the big birthday party and there was soooo much chicken left over so we helped her de-bone it, bag it and freeze it. Then we had wonderful chicken salad sandwiches (of course), sat around talking and then played a good game of chicken foot dominoes. Guess who won? ~~ clears throat~~~ J

She is making the island feel like home. What a wonderful friend.

Well I should stop now and go get some breakfast. We picked some fresh grapefruit the other day but they aren’t ripe yet.. drat!

Whatever your day holds remember that people are what really matter. May the Lord strengthen you to believe against all odds. Read Matt 21:18-21. Remember it isn’t about what we can do but about the authority and power of God and what He can do!! Miraculous things can happen by the power of God and not by our ingenuity. These are some of Bob’s thoughts that he shared with me this morning. May it bless your heart as well.

“those none go with me still I will follow”

Blessings.

PS~~ I used up over 12,000 packets of space just to log on here, add a couple of pictures and go on facebook so from now on I won't be posting alot of pics here. Please check facebook or you can see my pics on flickr (up top to the left) So we looking at a little place by the sea that we can possibly buy and once we get our own place hopefully our own internet will be better. For now, we have to make do.. such is island life and if that is my biggest problem then I am laughin'!